Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

It's time for another round, everyone!

But first, a little reminder of how things are done around here (head to this thread for all the nitty-gritty details):

How it works:
- The topics for the 2020 reading challenge list will be determined by a series of mini-polls, the number of which depends on the number of prompts winning in each mini-polls
- Suggestions for each poll will be opened until 15-20 suggestions are received and “seconded” (this number can change, which will be announced in each suggestion topic)
- We'll wait for one day between the end of the suggestions and the start of the poll to allow for research and discussions
- The poll will be opened for voting for one week
- Each user has 8 votes to spread between their favorite (top) and least favorite (bottom) prompts
- The prompts with the more "positive" votes (top - bottom) will be added to the final list (between 2 and 5 depending on how the votes are spread)

Rules:
- Each member can only suggest OR second one prompt
- Suggestions close after 20 total seconded prompts
- If the categories are not balanced enough at some point, the mods will add rules to encourage variety
- We'll be organizing a multi-week only poll at some point (where you'll have the opportunity to vote against the inclusion of any multi-week prompts if it's not your jam), so please don't suggest any for the time being, as they will not be accepted
- For now, we won't limit polls to new suggestion only, but that can be considered in the future
- For now, members who have suggested or seconded a prompt don't need to wait for 24 hours before doing so again in the next poll. That may change in the future if members express a need for this rule to be reinstated

As always, please express any and all feedback (respectfully, of course), either here or in The Wild Discussion

Poll Entries:
1. A book that is not the genre the author is best known for
2. A book recommended by an independent bookshop
3. A noir crime novel
4. A book you’ve been meaning to read but haven’t gotten around to
5. A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan (eg. a book set in Japan, a Japanese author, a book about sports, a book with (Olympic) rings on the cover, a book about swimming...)
6. A book set in Egypt
7. A book written by or about a laureate
8. A book related to Florence Nightingale
9. A book with a synopsis that includes a question (synopsis could mean the back-of-the-book blurb, the Goodreads summary, etc.)
10. A book from the list of 1001 books to read before you die
11. A book related to social justice
12. The first book in a series that you have not started
13. A book by an author not from the Anglosphere (English-speaking nations that share cultural & historical ties to the UK)
14. A book related to floriography (the language of flowers)
15. A popular author's first novel
16. A book featuring an LGBTQIA+ character or by an LGBTQIA+ author
17. A book by an indigenous woman
18. A book from the New York Times '100 Notable Books' list for any year
19. Roll the Genre Generator twice, pick one of those two options and read a book in that genre
20. A book from the "1000 Books by Women" list

Available to be seconded
- An Extended Universe book
- A book included in a Goodreads list from a genre of your choice
- A book set somewhere you would love to visit
- A book featuring a character you’d like to emulate

We are a bit low on the genre prompts so I would like to suggest the following prompt:
"A book that is not the genre the author is best known for".

My reason for this is I have a copy of Lust by Roald Dahl (famed children's author)

Other books that come to mind that would suit this prompt are:
The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton (best known for Sci Fi Thrillers like Jurassic Park)
The Red House Mystery the only mystery novel written by A.A. Milne (author of Winney the Pooh)
Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo (best known for Nordic Noir)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming (of James Bond fame)
There are also the romance novels Agatha Christie wrote under the pen-name Mary Westmacott.

I think that leaves it pretty open for people to chose genres they like.

Some other authors who have crossed genres are here:
https://www.bustle.com/p/13-bestselli...
http://flavorwire.com/275163/10-famou...

Tricia wrote: "We are a bit low on the genre prompts so I would like to suggest the following prompt:
"A book that is not the genre the author is best known for".

My reason for this is I have a copy of [book:Lus..."

I'll second that as I have exactly the same book!

Jen wrote: "I'll second that as I have exactly the same book!

If it gets up we will have to read it and let each other know what we think. It looks interesting. I have read a lot of his children's books but none of his "adult" books.

I would second that Tricia, but since it's not necessary I will vote for it :) This has always intrigued me.

A book recommended by an independent bookshop
https://mrbsemporium.com/book-lists/
https://www.londonreviewbookshop.co.u...
https://www.astoriabookshop.com/?q=p....
https://www.politics-prose.com/staff-...

Obviously go check out your favourite shops, but I love the Mr B lists.

A noir crime novel

Subcategories (and examples):
Classic - Raymond Chandler
Modern/Neo-noir - Dennis Lehane
Rural/Country - Daniel Woodrell
Nordic - Jo Nesbø
Tartan - Val McDermid
Fantasy/Sci-fi - Jim Butcher

Lists:
100 Must-Read Works of Noir
50 Must-Read Noir Detective Novels
12 Crime Noir Books That Will Have You Reaching for Your Trench Coat
10 Female Noir and Mystery Writers You Need to Read
9 Great Noir Books
8 Works of Literary Noir
The Best Noir Fiction of 2018
The Best Old-School Noir Novels
10 Essential Neo-Noir Authors
Top Ten Rural Noir Novels
A Rural Noir Primer
Nordic Noir 101: Best Books to Get to Know the Genre
Step Inside the Thrilling World of Tartan Noir
12 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books That Channel the Blood of Hardboiled Noir into Their Black, Black Hearts
8 Intriguing Dark Fantasy Noir Novels
Urban Fantasy Noir

An Extended Universe book

That is to say, a book based on a TV show/film series that is not the novelisation of the film, but actually adds more to the universe in question.

A book with a synopsis that includes a question (synopsis could mean the back-of-the-book blurb, the Goodreads summary, etc.).

Examples based on Goodreads synopses:
Where the Forest Meets the Stars
Tell the Machine Goodnight
Convenience Store Woman
The Flight Attendant
The Dreamers

A book recommended by an independent bookshop - seconded

I second a Noir Crime novel

A book included in a Goodreads list from a genre of your choice - click "Browse", click "Explore" and choose a genre.

There are lists of new releases tagged with that genre, most read this week, popular books of that genre, or various lists that fit the genre.

You can make this easy and choose a genre you love, or harder and choose a genre you don't often read, or one you've never heard of.

A book you’ve been meaning to read but haven’t gotten around to.

I figure this can be many things:

a classic novel you feel like you should read but keep skipping

Something from the stack of books you bought but keep reading library books instead

A recommendation a friend keeps insisting you’ll love but it never fits into your reading prompts

Finishing out a favorite author’s bibliography (because there’s always at least one straggler that is off genre or older or you just never got to before moving on)

A book you keep starting and setting down because it’s big or daunting

The former bestseller that you never read because the holds lists were too long and you forgot about later


I’m sure there’s other reasons people want to read something but don’t get around to it!

I second a book you’ve been meaning to read.

A book set in Egypt.

(This is one of my ideas specific to the year 2020, in this case because the international phone calling code for Egypt is 20.)

I’m reading one of Elizabeth Peters fantastic mysteries set in Egypt right now (Children of the Storm). You could also read:
Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile
Flow Down Like Silver: Hypatia of Alexandria, about Hypatia of Alexandria
Moran’s The Heretic Queen
The English Patient
The Queue
Alif the Unseen

A romance such as
As You Desire
Mr. Impossible

A book based on Egyptian mythology, like:
Riordan’s The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid

Or nonfiction (well, mostly nonfiction) like
The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt
Cleopatra: A Life

Other books:
https://partwaythere.com/2018/01/30/t...
https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-...
https://www.goodreads.com/places/17-e...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan (eg. a book set in Japan, a Japanese author, a book about sports, a book with (Olympic) rings on the cover, a book about swimming...)


I am fine with excluding everything in parenthesis on the final list!

°~Amy~° wrote: "A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan (eg. a book set in Japan, a Japanese author, a book about sports, a book with (Olympic) rings on the cover, a book about swimming...)


I am..."

I second this :)

I’ll second a book set in Egypt.

Poll Entries:
1. A book that is not the genre the author is best known for
2. A book recommended by an independent bookshop
3. A noir crime novel
4. A book you’ve been meaning to read
5. A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan
6. A book set in Egypt

Available to be seconded
- An Extended Universe book
- A book with a synopsis that includes a question (synopsis could mean the back-of-the-book blurb, the Goodreads summary, etc.)
- A book included in a Goodreads list from a genre of your choice

A book written by or about a laureate

Examples include Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, Marie Curie, Bob Dylan, John Steinbeck, Cressida Cowell, Malorie Blackman, Michael Morpurgo, William Wordsworth, Simon Armitage and many, many more.
https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel-priz...
https://www.britannica.com/topic/list...
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-...

Ohhh I'll second that one, Kat.

I'd definitely be pulling from the Nobel winners. I'll also include some links to American laureates.

https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/po...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

Tricia wrote: "Jen wrote: "I'll second that as I have exactly the same book!

If it gets up we will have to read it and let each other know what we think. It looks interesting. I have read a lot of his children'..."

Sounds like a plan. I also have Madness from him too but haven't read either yet. Very curious as I loved his kids books.

A book related to Florence Nightingale

2020 is the 200th anniversary of her birth.
This prompt could include a book featuring a nurse, anything regarding the hospital/medical field, a war novel centered around a field hospital, nightingale on cover, set in Florence, etc.

A book from the list of 1001 books to read before you die

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

I know this one is on 2019's challenge, but 1001 is a lot of books.

Poll Entries:
1. A book that is not the genre the author is best known for
2. A book recommended by an independent bookshop
3. A noir crime novel
4. A book you’ve been meaning to read
5. A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan
6. A book set in Egypt
7. A book written by or about a laureate

Available to be seconded
- An Extended Universe book
- A book with a synopsis that includes a question (synopsis could mean the back-of-the-book blurb, the Goodreads summary, etc.)
- A book included in a Goodreads list from a genre of your choice
- A book related to Florence Nightingale
- A book from the list of 1001 books to read before you die

I second "A book related to Florence Nightingale"

Sheena wrote: "A book from the list of 1001 books to read before you die

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

I know this one is on 2019's challenge, but 1001 is a lot of books."

Actually with all the revisions, there are over 1300 books on the list!

Avery wrote: "A book with a synopsis that includes a question (synopsis could mean the back-of-the-book blurb, the Goodreads summary, etc.)."

I'll second this one.

A book set somewhere you would love to visit.

Sheena wrote: "A book from the list of 1001 books to read before you die

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

I know this one is on 2019's challenge, but 1001 is a lot of books."

I'll second this one.

Jen, I think because you seconded Trisha's prompt, you aren't able to suggest a prompt as well.

A book related to social justice

I will second a book related to social justice

A book related to floriography (the language of flowers).

A book set in a big city

Poll entries
1. A book that is not the genre the author is best known for
2. A book recommended by an independent bookshop
3. A noir crime novel
4. A book you’ve been meaning to read
5. A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan
6. A book set in Egypt
7. A book written by or about a laureate
8. A book related to Florence Nightingale
9. A book with a synopsis that includes a question
10. A book from the list of 1001 books to read before you die
11. A book related to social justice

Available to be seconded
- An Extended Universe book
- A book included in a Goodreads list from a genre of your choice
- A book related to floriography (the language of flowers)
- A book set in a big city

I would like to suggest "The first book in a series that you have not started".

Perri, we do already have "A book set in a global city" on the 2020 list. Not sure if that suggestion is too repetitive for the same list.

I’ll suggest a book featuring a character you’d like to emulate.

I will second “ the first book in a series that you have not already started”

Poll entries
1. A book that is not the genre the author is best known for
2. A book recommended by an independent bookshop
3. A noir crime novel
4. A book you’ve been meaning to read
5. A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan
6. A book set in Egypt
7. A book written by or about a laureate
8. A book related to Florence Nightingale
9. A book with a synopsis that includes a question
10. A book from the list of 1001 books to read before you die
11. A book related to social justice
12. The first book in a series that you have not started

Available to be seconded
- An Extended Universe book
- A book included in a Goodreads list from a genre of your choice
- A book related to floriography (the language of flowers)
- A book set in a big city
- A book featuring a character you’d like to emulate

8 MORE SPOTS

Thanks guys for the follow-ups and also Emily for seeing that Jen had seconded twice (I would totally have missed it).

Perri, if you want to suggest something different, don't hesitate!

A book by an author not from the Anglosphere (English-speaking nations that share cultural & historical ties to the UK).

Anglosphere is a new term for me, but it's different from countries that have English as an official language (anglophone). It is the combination of language & culture. It includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK & US. Other definitions of Anglosphere include Ireland & English-speaking Caribbean countries (this could be a BIO option for the prompt).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglosp...

Katie wrote: "A book by an author not from the Anglosphere (English-speaking nations that share cultural & historical ties to the UK).

Anglosphere is a new term for me, but it's different from countries that ha..."

Great idea, I second that.

Just realized the Florence Nightingale prompt hasn’t been seconded... I hope someone seconds it!

Emily wrote: "Just realized the Florence Nightingale prompt hasn’t been seconded... I hope someone seconds it!"

Was seconded in message 26, I think?

Vanessa wrote: "I second "A book related to Florence Nightingale""

The Florence Nightingale book has been seconded I noticed because I was going to do it.

I second a book related to floriography (the language of flowers).

A popular author's first novel.

Emily wrote: "Just realized the Florence Nightingale prompt hasn’t been seconded... I hope someone seconds it!"

Haha we made the same mistake 😉

6 spots left (please see the first post for updates, I'm lazier than Emily haha).