Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

(Somehow in editing this post on 10/7/23, I lost most of the post. I am not going to try and redo what was lost. I will track from here to the end of the year and begin again next year. I'm reading in order, so everything before September is already completed.)

*9/24/23 - 38. A book with the sun, moon, or stars on the cover - Enchantress from the Stars, 1971 honor
*9/27/23 - 39. A western - Old Ramon, 1961 honor

40. A book with a full name in the title - Justin Morgan Had a Horse, 1946 honor
41. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists - Piecing Me Together, 2018 honor
42. A book related to a ghost, spirit, phantom, or specter - Doll Bones, 2014 honor
43. A book that involves a murder - Long Way Down, 2018 honor
44. A book where the cover design includes text that is not completely horizontal - Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, 2014 winner

45. A book whose author has published more than 7 books - My Side of the Mountain, 1969 honor
46. A title that contains a word often found in a recipe - Thistle and Thyme: Tales and Legends from Scotland, 1963 honor
47. A book related to a geometric shape - Dead End in Norvelt, 2012 winner
48. A book with an unusually large version of an animal in the story - The Black Pearl, 1968 honor

49. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2022 or 2023 - The Last Cuentista, 2022 winner
50. A second book that fits your favorite prompt, a prompt that didn't make the list / A book involving power or politics - Hope Was Here, 2001 honor
51. A book published in 2023 / A 2023 Newbery honoree - The Last Mapmaker, 2023 honor
52. A book with an unusual or surprising title - Al Capone Does My Shirts, 2005 honor

Oh man what a fun challenge! I haven't read that many Newberry's either, but I *loved* Maniac Magee and Catherine Called Birdy in my younger years. I still have a bunch of Karen Cushman's books; she was definitely a favorite author as young teen.

I had a really hard time narrowing it down to just 52 books! There were so many that fit multiple prompts. I may still have to be a little flexible, especially with the older titles. Some of them are going to be difficult to find copies of. I'm looking forward to Cushman's book!

I love this idea! That should be a lot of fun! I’ve read several of these books and recommend The Surrender Tree (the dual language edition is wonderful) and Al Capone! The first book in the Al Capone series is the best, in my opinion. It would be a clever option for prompt #1 being set in Alcatraz.

Thanks, Pam! The Al Capone book looks like a lot of fun. And it meets several different prompts, so I have no excuse not to read it!

I decided to try doing a reject challenge along with the regular challenge. There are twelve, so one extra book a month.

The Newbery Honor Books I Own That Somehow Didn't Make My List Reject Challenge
1. A book that is unlike what you usually read (graphic novel) - New Kid, 2020 winner
*1/31/23 - 2. A book in which someone is captured, taken hostage, trapped or imprisoned - Hello, Universe, 2018 winner
*5/20/23 - 3. A book for the NPR "Books We Love" lists - Wolf Hollow, 2017 honor
*8/3/23 - 4. A book that can be used for at least five of the 2023 challenge prompts - A Year Down Yonder, 2001 winner
5. A book where the chapters are named - The Wanderer, 2001 honor
*7/6/23 - 6. A book written by an author that is a different race and gender than you - Bud, Not Buddy, 2000 winner
*9/16/23 - 7. A book about crossing over to another world - The Moorchild, 1997 honor
*6/11/23 - 8. A book with an animal on the cover - Shiloh, 1992 winner
*8/26/23 - 9. A book involving journalism or journalists - Nothing But the Truth, 1992 honor
10. A book related to dreams or dreaming - M.C. Higgins, the Great, 1975 winner
11. A book from a genre that inspired your love of reading - Misty of Chincoteague, 1948 honor
*2/7/23 - 12. A children's classic - By the Shores of Silver Lake, 1940 honor

Such a great idea!