Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

It's now time to get ready to vote for our first set of prompts! But as we discussed before the process began, we are going to open the poll one day after we've gathered 20 suggestions. This is a good opportunity to ask any question you may have regarding the prompts, make some research or ask for recommendations. I'll try to add the relevant info to the prompt descriptions below as the discussion goes.

How it works
- When the voting open, follow the link to the mini-poll that will be added at the end of this post
- You have 8 votes per poll to spread across your favourite and least favourite prompts (you can also use less than 8 votes)
- The poll will be open for a week (until the 9th of June, so you don't have to rush and vote straightaway
- The prompts with the more "positive" votes (top minus bottom) will be announced shortly after the end of the poll and added to the final list (expect between 2 and 5 depending on how the votes are spread)

Poll Entries:

1. A book with an emotion in the title
eg. In Our Mad and Furious City
The Joy Luck Club
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
The Midwife of Hope River
The Wise Man's Fear

2. A book with a two-word title where the first word is "The"

3. A book about two queer women (this includes those who identify as bi, trans, pan, ace)

4. A book by an author with a colour in their name, where that colour also appears on the cover
eg. There There by Tommy Orange

The Frangipani Hotel by Violet Kupersmith

Cork Dork: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste by Bianca Bosker

The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth


5. A book set in a location with less than 2 readers on the 2019 Group Reading Map

6. A book related to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan
eg. An author born in Japan
An author of Japanese heritage
A book set in Japan
A book about sports (in general)
A book about swimming (specifically)

7. To celebrate the Leap Year, a book that can be read in a day
Like books under 200 pages, short stories, graphic novels, children's book. No need to actually read it in a day.
Some links for ideas:
https://modernmrsdarcy.com/short-novels/
https://www.buzzfeed.com/danieldalton...
https://www.bookscrolling.com/the-54-...

8. A book set on an island

9. A book with a heart on the cover or in the title

10. A book originally written in a language other than English or your mother tongue

11. A book where the first letter of each word in the title appears in "Around the Year"

12. A book related to one of the five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell)
eg. Could be a blind or deaf protagonist, or a sense word in the title

13. A book with china or porcelain on the cover
Since it will be the year 2020, and the traditional 20th anniversary gift is (apparently) 'china' (aka porcelain). eg. A tea set or a vase in the background.

14. A book published the year you were born

15. A book with horses in the story or a horse on the cover
Because it's 2020, and the Kentucky Derby horse race is a field of 20 horses.

16. A book by an Irish author

17. A dystopian novel

18. A book with more than 20 letters in the title

19. A book that is about sight, seeing, or vision, or has one of those words in the title
Since it's 2020, or 20/20.

20. A book featuring a child being raised by someone other than their biological parents

Vote here:
https://www.surveymoz.com/s/AKSO7/

Happy discussing.

For those of us who read in order, it would make a big difference for when the mods slotted the map prompt, if it won. There would be a lot more countries to choose from in March, than there would be in November. Any thoughts on when this prompt should/would be listed?

Lizzy wrote: "For those of us who read in order, it would make a big difference for when the mods slotted the map prompt, if it won. There would be a lot more countries to choose from in March, than there would ..."

I would hope it would be in the summer... late enough to present a challenge, but early enough to not be too impossible.

Can someone explain how the last two books that are listed for the color prompt fit? I'm trying to figure it out but I can't wrap my head around it.

Bianca means white, and fREDerick.

Fredrick has the color red in it and I think Bianca is a shade of white (at least target sells Bianca as a color choice in furniture).

Ah thanks! That does make sense! I like that as a KIS option.

Hmmm I googled it and looks like bianca is used as a description for white, especially with furniture. I'm having trouble confirming that it's actually a color thought.

There's Blanca (which is white in Spanish). But obviously that's different.

To address concerns with the group map suggestion -

It seems like we could address it 3 possible ways:

1. A book set in a location that has been "checked off" by less than 2 members on 2020 Group Reading Map
2. A book set in a location that was not "checked off" on the 2019 Group Reading Map
3. Members specify if they are reading a book for the prompt when they report to the map. Those reads would then not count against others. This seems complicated but I could map it a specific color. Might be interesting to see those specific reads on the final map.

- Avery had suggested 20 books but there are few locations with that many readers. So I modified it to 2 to make it more of a challenge.

For the map prompt, we could also use countries from 2019 with two or fewer checks at the end of the year.

Based on my experience in other groups challenges with a similar map like prompt; I have found that it can be quite time consuming to try and find a book located in an available country that is also available from my library. I think it is not so much that people don’t want to read books set in those countries, it just can be really difficult to find books.

I like the idea of reading from different countries but it feels to complicated.

I would say maybe change it to 2 or less people have read or 5 or less people have read. The main thing is that most of the big countries (US, UK, etc) will probably have that filled up pretty quickly, so it will be limiting without being too difficult.

I'll probably downvote this one, but if it gets in, I'll just plan for a country I personally haven't read from yet, since I'm a planner and like to know my options well in advance, which this prompt kind of prohibits.

It's too bad the five senses can't be the multi-week prompt this year, since the more I think about it, the more interesting I think that would be! I find the sight/seeing/vision prompt a bit on the similar side to that one, so I'm hoping it doesn't divide the votes. I like the five senses a bit more because I think it's open to a wider variety of options.

Like Jillian said above, the map prompt is a great idea to motivate people to read from different countries, but (even now that I understand it properly), it feels like a logistical nightmare for me.

Has anyone found any books with china or porcelain on the cover? I went through literally 50 pages of my TBR and found only 2 books that might fit.

Rachel, I had the exact same thought about the 5 senses. But if it doesn't get in this time, maybe we could set it aside and suggest it for example like: "3 books connected to the 5 senses" ;)

I like Sophie's idea about a multiweeks 5 senses in 3 prompts.

I didn't know what was "Leap day" (my country doesn't use the day but gives a special name to this kind of year, that nobody uses), so I'm not a big fan of its use but the way the suggestion is written works enough for me. Same for the other US-centred suggestions.

I don't know for the moment for which suggestions I'll vote, but the fact we can put our votes as we like will make it more fun :)

What, you don't like "bissextile"? 😂 (I actually had to think real hard on how to spell it lol)

I actually have two friends born on a 29th February, too bad they don't know each other otherwise that would have been a great birthday party haha

I'm trying to put a little bit more diversity in my reading and failing miserably this year because I'm tackling books that have been on my TBR for the longest and a few years ago that wasn't a particular focus. So, I'd love to vote for "A book about two queer women", but I find it really specific to have two in the same book. Any recommendations?

I momentarily thought of saving the senses idea for multi-week but I thought no one would vote for a 5 week one. Not sure it really works if it's shortened...

So many good ideas, not sure what I'll be voting for yet.

Some senses are more or less linked, so you could expect 2 of them being addressed in a book. It'll leave us with 3 prompts:
- sight / touch
- smell / taste
- hearing.

Sophie > I read books with LGBTQ+ characters, but it seems women are lacking in my picks. I suppose there are authors who can fit easily, so suggestions are welcome (for stories featuring gay relationships, Adam Silvera is a good choice).

Emily wrote: "Can someone explain how the last two books that are listed for the color prompt fit?"

Forsyth - forsythia - yellow
(There are a couple paint companies that use it as a color. That's what I found when googling anyway.)

I think grouping them might make them harder, rather than letting people pick what three senses they'd use. But that is really a discussion for another poll if neither of the sense prompts get through (I don't think it'd be worth resubmitting 5 senses if we already have sight/vision).

Sophie wrote: " So, I'd love to vote for "A book about two queer women", but I find it really specific to have two in the same book. Any recommendations?"

I read quite a lot of books with queer women but even I admit that this could be a very difficult prompt to plan for. Unless a synopsis for a book specifically says "Queer character A is in a relationship with Queer Character B" you often don't know this is true until you read the book.

For example, Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult is about two women who want to have a baby using one of the woman's frozen embryos and have to fight her ex-husband to do so. But this is not clearly spelled out in the synopsis on every edition of the book. Or in Carry the One by Carol Anshaw one of the primary characters is a queer woman in a relationship but this is rather secondary to the plot and not mentioned in the synopsis.

In a book I just finished reading - Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor - two very minor characters end up living together and it's implied but not stated that they are in a relationship. You certainly wouldn't know there were queer characters before reading the book and you might even miss it while you are reading it.

And a book I read earlier this year - Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg - has two queer women in a relationship but it's not at all important to the story and not mentioned in the synopsis.

It's a doable prompt but not an easy one, imo.

I like that the map prompt is not as limiting as our usual country prompts, for example this years set in a Mediterranean country. It means that I can force myself to fill in one of the more obscure countries on my Around the World challenge, which I have been avoiding.

Sophie wrote: "I'm trying to put a little bit more diversity in my reading and failing miserably this year because I'm tackling books that have been on my TBR for the longest and a few years ago that wasn't a par..."

Similar to what Dalex posted above, I’ve got a few books on my TBR that look like they might fit if you interpret the prompt to be “including” or “featuring” rather than “about” two queer women.

I’ve only read one of these, but quite a few are on my list of books to read this year, and others have been made into films or adapted by the BBC and I thought they were really good:

If You Could Be Mine
Under the Udala Trees
White Houses
Books by Sarah Waters - Fingersmith, The Paying Guests, Tipping the Velvet, Affinity, The Night Watch - great BBC adaptation
America Is Not the Heart
Carol - not seen the film but I want to watch it.
Oranges are Not the Only Fruit
The Well of Loneliness
The Color Purple - one of my favourite books
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - tagged as lgbt on GR
Aimée and Jaguar - excellent but heartbreaking film (in German)
The Gods of Tango
Books by Virginia Woolf

You could also read autobiographies / memoirs of celebrities for example Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres as it is something she probably covers in her book.

There would also be books about historical figures if you prefer non-fiction and you’re interested in a particular person.

Rachel wrote: "Has anyone found any books with china or porcelain on the cover? I went through literally 50 pages of my TBR and found only 2 books that might fit."

I'm not really finding anything for this one either.

dalex wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Has anyone found any books with china or porcelain on the cover? I went through literally 50 pages of my TBR and found only 2 books that might fit."

I'm not really finding anything ..."

It works a little better if you search specific examples of porcelain.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

mong the most familiar porcelain goods are table and decorative china, chemical ware, dental crowns, and electrical insulators.
If you are willing to expand the definition a little you could include some bathroom fixtures, decorative items such as figurines, and dolls used to be made with porcelain as well.

I'm going to modify my entry to 'A book set in a location with less than 2 readers on the 2019 Group Reading Map'

I think that allows it to be static. Although I like the idea of the evolving nature of having it based on 2020, I can see where it will be complicated.

I think that's a good idea, Laura, since it would also accommodate the people who like to plan out their books before the year starts.

Laura wrote: "dalex wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Has anyone found any books with china or porcelain on the cover? I went through literally 50 pages of my TBR and found only 2 books that might fit."

I'm not really fin..."

And I searched "plates" and got these:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...

dalex wrote: "Emily wrote: "Can someone explain how the last two books that are listed for the color prompt fit?"

Forsyth - forsythia - yellow
(There are a couple paint companies that use it as a color. That's..."

I really wish I'd been that inventive! He was just the first Fred I thought of, because it has red in it.

For the other less obvious one, Google translate says Bianca means white in Italian.

Looking at my TBR, I have The Priory of the Orange Tree for two queer women, and for china on the cover:


I love the idea of the country one having the group as a whole read the entire world next year, but it conflicts with my need to plan and read in order. Also, would non-Earth locations be cheating, or just streching the prompt a little :)

I was surprised that vases on the cover are really hard to search for. I have a cozy mystery series that I'm reading that the prompt fit so it felt like it would be easier to search for than it really was. The plate links look interesting.

Here are some other links I found while searching some of the ideas:

Popular Irish Authors Books

Smells

Blind/Deaf/Mute

I'm not exactly sure how touch would work. I like the 5 senses for one prompt but not a multi prompt.

I have not started searching for the A book related to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan.

Has anyone found some good ideas?

Tokyo Ueno Station is a novel about the impact of hosting the Olympics in Japan.

Katie wrote: "It's now time to get ready to vote for our first set of prompts! But as we discussed before the process began, we are going to open the poll one day after we've gathered 20 suggestions. This is a g..."

It's June2 and I am not finding a link to a poll. Am I missing somethin?

Edie wrote: "Katie wrote: "It's now time to get ready to vote for our first set of prompts! But as we discussed before the process began, we are going to open the poll one day after we've gathered 20 suggestion..."

This year we are going to have a day of discussion before the poll gets opened.

Since the process has changed for a bit, I highly recommend that everyone read the first post for a change 🤪

Jillian wrote: "Based on my experience in other groups challenges with a similar map like prompt; I have found that it can be quite time consuming to try and find a book located in an available country that is als..."

Agreed. I like books set in other countries, but as written, finding a book would be a chore, finding a book you want to read even harder. This will be a NO vote for me.

Jillian wrote: "I have not started searching for the A book related to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan.

Has anyone found some good ideas?"

Some lists I found

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

I was thinking of using one of the new sports that has been introduced. Japan has also launched a satellite with two figurines that has to do with the Olympics. I am not sure how to tie that in or what it really has to do with the Olympics.

I was super excited to start the year with eight votes to do what I wish with! So it's funny that when I went through this list and jotted down my gut feel for each category, I ended up with exactly 4 NO and 4 YES :-) I'm sure not every round will be like this, though.

Thanks, Anastasia!

Nadine, I think I might end up with 4 no and yes books too.

Right now on my pending list there are 7 possible yes and 4 no votes.

Edie wrote: "Katie wrote: "It's now time to get ready to vote for our first set of prompts! But as we discussed before the process began, we are going to open the poll one day after we've gathered 20 suggestion..."

Edited for clarity:

The voting link will be posted at 9:00pm EST on Sunday, June 2.

The Stars Are Legion

Stray City

The Art of Peeling an Orange

The Warrior's Path

Are all books with lesbian characters.

Jillian wrote: "Edie wrote: "Katie wrote: "It's now time to get ready to vote for our first set of prompts! But as we discussed before the process began, we are going to open the poll one day after we've gathered ..."

I saw the post yesterday and realized there would be a discussion period. The post said the poll would open on June 2 which is why I was looking for it this morning.

I like a lot of these ideas. I was sitting back watching them all roll out yesterday and at the ready if some of the ones I liked didn't get seconded.

I am a little worried about the country one. I think with those prompts I get stuck. The African/South America prompt from last year had me stumped a bit and I ended up reading Tarzan which I did enjoy. There were definitely others in that prompt I could have read. Just at the time nothing jumped out at me.

My favorite is probably the emotion one. I like the Irish author too. I have a couple on that list that will work.

I'm excited to vote.

I thought the "china or porcelain on the cover" idea was very clever, but I'm shocked at how few books on my TBR have porcelain on the cover!!

I've got 1544 books on my TBR list. Of those, I found five (or, 0.3% ):
Last Night in Montreal (there is a broken plate on the cover of the edition that shows up on my list, but it's not on all editions)
You Were Made for This (I think that's a broken bowl in the background?)
Kitchen (maybe that's a porcelain mixing bowl? or maybe it's melamine?)
Mãn (definitely porcelain bowls on the cover, on multiple editions)
A History of the World in 6 Glasses

All I need is one book to read, of course, so I'm all set if this category wins, I'll be happy to read one of the above - I'm just startled by how unusual "porcelain on the cover" is!!

Even books that I thought would be "sure things" like The Cafe by the Sea and Tea from an Empty Cup do not actually show porcelain on the cover.

Edie wrote: "I saw the post yesterday and realized there would be a discussion period. The post said the poll would open on June 2 which is why I was looking for it this morning...."


I agree that's confusing, if you haven't kept up with the nominations thread and don't know exactly what time the list was finalized.

The Lambda Awards are a good source for queer books: https://www.lambdaliterary.org/awards/

For me "a day" means 24 hours, but we'll make the text more precise for next time 😉

I don't know how many book covers have bones on them but bone china is a type of porcelain.

Also, the way the prompt is worded - "A book with china on the cover" - you could interpret that as China, as in the country. So a book cover with a map of China or a picture of something taking place in China or something.

Or you could do a book by China Miéville because his name is on the cover so it technically has "china on the cover." Are there any other authors named China?