Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Hi everyone,

I literally just joined this group and it’s my first attempt at something like this!

Topic 1. (A book with a main character whose name starts with A, T, or Y):
The Companion Contract ⭐⭐
Topic 2. (A book connected to a book you read in 2021):
Salt & Stone ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Topic 3. (A book with 22 or more letters in the title):
There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job ⭐⭐⭐.5
Topic 4. (A winner/nominee from 2021 Goodreads choice awards):
Beautiful World, Where Are You ⭐⭐⭐
Topic 5. (A book by an author with two sets of double letters in their name):
Lilac Girls ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Topic 6. (A book with an image of a source of light on the cover):
The Lightning Thief⭐⭐⭐⭐
Topic 7. (A book related to psychology, neuroscience or the mind):
My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Topic 8. (3 books set on three different continents - Book 1):
Love & Virtue ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Topic 9. (3 books set on three different continents - Book 2):
The Seven Sisters⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Topic 10. (3 books set on three different continents - Book 3):
Homegoing⭐⭐⭐⭐
Topic 11. (A book from historical fiction genre):
Children of Liberty⭐⭐⭐
Topic 12. (A book related to glass):
The End of Alice⭐⭐⭐
Topic 13. (A book about a woman in STEM):
Migrations⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Topic 14. (A book with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads):
Trouble ⭐⭐⭐
Topic 15. (A book without a person on the cover):
Bridge of Clay ⭐⭐⭐
Topic 16. (A book related to Earth Day):
Where the Crawdads Sing
Topic 17. (A book from NPR's Book Concierge):
Topic 18. (A book by an Asian or Pacific Islander author):
Topic 19. (A book that involves alternate reality, alternate worlds, or alternate history):
Topic 20. (A fiction or nonfiction book that is set during 1900 -1951):
Topic 21. (A book with one of the Monopoly tokens on the cover):
Topic 22. (A book with a Jewish character or author)
Topic 23. (A book that features a loving LGBTQIA+ relationship):
Topic 24. (A book related to inclement weather):
Topic 25. (A book less than 220 pages OR more than 440 pages):
Topic 26. (2 books with the same word in the title - Book 1):
Topic 27. (2 books with the same word in the title - Book 2):
Topic 28. (A book that won an award from Powell's list of book awards):
Topic 29. (A book set on or near a body of water):
Topic 30. (A book related to mythology):
Topic 31. (A book published at least 10 years ago):
Topic 32. (A book where the main character is a female detective/private eye/police officer):
Topic 33. (The next book in a series):
Topic 34. (A book with an academic setting or with a teacher that plays an important role):
Topic 35. (2 books related to flora and fauna - Book 1):
Topic 36. (2 books related to flora and fauna - Book 2):
Topic 37. (A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name):
Topic 38. (A book by a Latin American author):
Topic 39. (A book from the TIME list of 100 Best YA Books of All Time):
Topic 40. (A book related to one of the 22 Tarot Major Arcana cards):
Topic 41. (A book with a theme of food or drink):
Topic 42. (A book with a language or nationality in the title):
Topic 43. (A book set in a small town or rural area):
Topic 44. (A book with gothic elements):
Topic 45. (A book related to a game):
Topic 46. (A book with a non-human as one of the main characters):
Topic 47. (A book with handwriting on the cover):
Topic 48. (A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2021 or 2022):
Topic 49. (A book connected to the phrase "Here (There) Be Dragons"):
Topic 50. (A book that involves aging, or a character in their golden years):
Topic 51. (A book published in 2022):
Topic 52. (A book with a time-related word in the title):

1. A book with a main character whose name starts with A, T or Y:


The Companion Contract by Solace Ames

Main characters name is Amy.

Bare with me while I get used to all of this! Hope I’m doing this right!

UPDATE: 1/1/22

The Companion Contract by Solace Ames

Just finished this book, kind of shocked that I started the year reading erotica. I NEVER read this genre and that is for a good reason...

This book had been on my TBR list since I very first got Goodreads and I thought that it was about time that I got it off there.
Overall, there were some excellent themes in this book exploring the porn industry and sexuality including trans and bisexuality. However, just not for me.. I find erotica to be very cheesy, always an easy read but unrealistic to me.

⭐⭐

2. A book connected to a book you read in 2021:

Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott

This one was such an easy one for me. I read Fire and Flood in 2021 and it was my favourite book of the year so I am very excited to be reading the sequel.

UPDATE:
finished 2/1/22

Adored this book like the first one. I can't believe it's over just like that..

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Welcome to the group and good luck with your first challenge!

3. A book with 22 or more letters in the title

I am reading There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura

I have heard nothing about this book and goodreads reviews were under 500.. this could go one of two ways however like the concept so happy to go on this unknown journey.

UPDATE:
finished 6/1/22

This book was so cute! I don't think I would go as far as to recommend it to anyone but I actually really enjoyed the story and the message it was trying to portray behind burn out in the workplace.

⭐⭐⭐.5

Jackie wrote: "Welcome to the group and good luck with your first challenge!"

Thank you Jackie! :)

4. A winner/nominee from 2021 Goodreads choice awards:

I will be reading Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

A highly anticipated read on my bookshelf!

UPDATE:
finished 21/1/22

Ah another disappointing read by Sally Rooney, I really liked Normal People but her writing and characters are a big miss to me in this book..

⭐⭐⭐

5. A book by an author with two sets of double letters in their name:

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Don't remember anything about this book or why I bought it so glad that this has prompted me to read it! Fingers crossed its a good one!

UPDATE:
finished 29/1/22

I really enjoyed this book! I haven't read a historical fiction novel in YEARS, and its truly one of my favourite genres because I find this particular time in history so interesting. I loved the three different perspectives in this novel, all so intriguing!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

6. A book with an image of a source of light on the cover:

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

I feel like I'm cheating a little because I have already started this book in December last year but I'm dying to make this fit into this challenge and this seems like a perfect fit.. Lightning counts as a source of light right?

UPDATE:
finished 2/2/22

So cute! This series is fun and I can't wait to keep reading on and see how Percy and his friends grow.

7. A book related to psychology, neuroscience or the mind:

My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach

I don't remember where I saw the recommendation for this book however it has been on my TBR list for a while now so keen to read it. I'm going into this not really knowing what to expect.

UPDATE:
finished 8/2/22

Very impactful, educating and deeply sad. This tied with my Mental Health First Aid course I am doing this week has really developed my knowledge in mental health.

8. 3 books set on three different continents - Book 1):
Love & Virtue

Love & Virtue by Diana Reid

Set in Australia.

This is my book clubs book that we are currently reading and really needed to fit this in somewhere.

UPDATE:
finished 14/2/22

I really liked this book the characters were really strong and I enjoyed the storyline and insight into college life in Australia (although nothing like my experience)

9. 3 books set on three different continents - Book 2:

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

Set in Europe/ South America!

I'm so excited for this read, I've been recommended this book a few times and think I'm really going to enjoy it! It's a thick one, although I'm on holidays so I should fly through it.

UPDATE:
finished 22/2/22

This book was soooo bloody good! I loved the family storylines and how this book literally took me to Rio, it had me googling places and sites in Rio I was that interested! Hopefully can fit the second book in this series into this challenge very soon!

10. 3 books set on three different continents - Book 3:

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Set in Africa!

UPDATE:
finished 14/3/22

Had little break from reading for a few weeks so this book dragged out! But I loved all the little stories and seeing all the family lines changing and evolving!

11. A book from historical fiction genre:

Children of Liberty by Paullina Simons

One of my favourite books is The Bronze Horseman and I've been meaning to read all the little side stories to this series for like ten years. I'm glad that this prompt is getting me to finally do this.

UPDATE:
finished 18/3/22

Light easy read, nothing particularly interesting but enjoyable nonetheless.

12. A book related to glass:

The End of Alice by A.M. Homes

I've had this book for over 6 years!

UPDATE:
finished 29/3/22

I feel a bit weird reviewing this book as it was so wrong, in so many ways! A book about a paedophile, going into explicit detail about sexual activities with young girls, boys and his mother... yeah... The writing style was really intriguing however the story was all over the place in some chapters...

13. A book about a woman in STEM:

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

UPDATE:
finished 4/4/22

I LOVED this book. I rarely give out five stars but wow, what a roller coaster of emotions.