Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Jennifer W wrote: "I think it was left open ended.

I like reading about mental health, so that's probably what I would do for it."

Me too. I love reading about psychology and mental health, but some people hate it. So I love prompts like this that give both groups an option that suits them. I didn’t know that summertime blues was a form of SAD (which effects some people in the winter), until I saw the link in the wild discussion. Summer is migraine season for me and I just want to sleep, so it makes sense to me.

Posting the voting link early because I go back to work tomorrow! Ah!

https://forms.gle/4AvS3wJuFw8mCijZA

I don't always get catchphrases. Can someone demonstrate some actual books that would go with catchphrases? I suppose I could always go with a book known for catchphrases in it, but would like some actual books people are associated with the prompt.

Emily wrote: "It's now time to get ready to vote for our next set of prompts! The thread will be open for at least 24 hours before the poll gets posted. This is a good opportunity to ask any question you may hav..."

Do we not have the threads open for 24 hours before voting anymore? A few this times have seemed very quick. I can see this thread has only been open for 11 hours and voting is open alredy. Kind of all happened overnight for me.

I like Fabled for staff picks.

https://fabledbookshop.com/staff-picks

First impressions:

1. A book with twins in it - I really like this, but it's a prompt I've done many times before so not sure I want it strongly enough to vote for it.

2. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet - JQZX - Love this! I'd definitely go for one of the letters more difficult than J

3. A book related to left or right - Not quite sure how I'd tackle this, but it's not an immediate no either

4. A book relating to a catchphrase - I don't really get this one. Maybe I'm being too literal, but I don't really get how to connect a book to any of the phrases

5. A book related to one of the traditional full moon names - No particular attachment to this. I've never heard of these names before, so while I'm sure it would be easy enough to find something, I don't really feel invested either

6. A book related to X marks the Spot - I like this one a lot, although I'd be more of a fan if "X marks the Spot" was in quotes (although I'm sure it makes little actual difference). I'm not quite convinced that the connection to all the other possible interpretations of "X" comes across clearly enough from the wording, but I'd very likely vote for this

7. A book featured in a “staff picks” display at a bookstore or library - A strong maybe.

8. A book with a lock and/or a key on the cover - I'd have to look at my options, but this could be interesting

9. A book related to summertime blues - Sorry, but I don't get this one at all. I have no idea what "summertime blues" is and I don't really see a clear way to approach it that encompasses both of the words (aside from Summer Bird Blue, which I've already read)

10. A book with a touch of magic - I like this. Very strong possibility for an upvote.

11. A book with a timepiece on the cover - I also like this too, although I'm not really sure why.

12. A history or historical fiction book - I have a goal of reading more historical fiction so this might be a good one to vote for.

13. A book with a character who is neurodiverse - As with the disability prompt suggested earlier this year, this is something I always like and tend to vote for. I might leave it neutral though if I have too many other votes, just on the grounds that I've done it before.

14. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists - Another prompt I've done repeatedly before, but I always like these lists. I'd have to look to remind myself what's on the list, but it's most likely an upvote.

15. A book with an author OR character whose first name is considered gender neutral - This is fine, but I like the other author prompt better.

°~Amy~° wrote: "But is it "related to the song Summertime Blues" or "related to the summertime blues"? As it's written right now I would use the concept/feeling not the song. Was it meant to reflect the song?"

It's related to summertime blues. But the song would count as related, and I was just trying to give more info to help people come up with ideas - not to say that that was how you had to interpret the prompt.

I just know that song so well because I listened to the La Bamba soundtrack on repeat when I was a kid, so that's where my mind goes when I see summertime blues.

Thanks Nancy and Tracy for your shelves ideas! Yes, I use shelves and have 89 but don’t use them for prompts. I’m trying to find ways to plan without adding more books to my TBR, which is over 4K. I actually started using the Storygraph app so that I could start a new clean TBR.

You’re welcome Pam! So many ways to organize!

I created an improved spreadsheet this year, that I’m duplicating for 2024. It’s not SUPER fancy, but I have all the prompts across the top, and possible books down the left. Then I mark the intersection of book and prompt if the book could work. Some minor calculations to let me know how many books fit a prompt and how many prompts fit a book. I also track fiction and non-fiction.

I haven’t tried Storygrap. I’ll have to check it out.

Bec wrote: "Emily wrote: "It's now time to get ready to vote for our next set of prompts! The thread will be open for at least 24 hours before the poll gets posted. This is a good opportunity to ask any questi..."

You are correct, Emily posted it early because of her work situation. I'm amazed she can work full time, take care of a baby and be on top of all these discussions!

Martha wrote: "I don't always get catchphrases. Can someone demonstrate some actual books that would go with catchphrases? I suppose I could always go with a book known for catchphrases in it, but would like some..."

Here are some ideas

Who Shot J.R.? (Dallas) - a book about a squabbling rich family, ranch, Texas.
Where's the Beef?- My Year of Meats (fiction)
We're on a Mission from God - The Sparrow sci fi
May the Force be With You - one of the Star Wars books
Some Fava Beans and a Nice Chianti - The Silence of the Lambs, Red Dragon, a book about a serial killer, or a chef/ foodie
Is That Your Final Answer? - a book about game shows, millionaires, competitions
Kiss my Grits! - a book set in the south/southwest, waitress. A book by Fannie Flagg
Go Ahead, Make My Day - a book about a macho or violent cop or detective.
I'll Be Back - (Terminator) - I would read a Murderbot book All Systems Red
Just Do It -🏃🏽‍♀️ a sports related book, running, a female high school athlete
I Want my MTV - I recommend Daisy Jones & The Six even though it’s set 10 years too early
Who's your Daddy - Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love I really loved this book
I'm your Huckleberry
Show me the money - (sports, agents) Agent to the Stars or book about athletes, greed, finance
You're gonna need a bigger boat -(Jaws) -Sharks in the Time of Saviors, Shark Heart
Nothin' but Net
Live Long and Prosper
Sorry about that, Chief
Be the Ball -🏃🏽‍♀️ https://www.jenryland.com/ya-books-ab...
And Down the Stretch they Come
Let's Get Ready to Rumble
The Truth is Out There - sci-fi
Hasta la vista, baby (which movie is this from?)
How you doin’. - Friends, Joey, a flirty romance
Danger, Will Robinson - A space opera, a book about a family in space, lost in Space ?
How sweet it is!
Come on down!
Here’s looking at you, kid - a book about the French resistance, romance, spies, Paris, Casablanca, or kids
Bond, James Bond. - A Spy book
Say hello to my little friend - book about a drug cartel, the mafia
I’m king of the world! (Titanic?) A Romance, ocean liner, a king
There’s no crying in baseball- 🏃🏽‍♀️female athletes, baseball, coach
My precious - LOTR, or a book with a ring on the cover, or a jewel heist book.
Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn - Gone with the Wind, a Civil war or antebellum book, a book with a big romance or divorce.
I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore. (Network) - A book about TV, news, journalists, mental illness, a public breakdown
Heeere’s Johnny! A Stephen King book!
To infinity, and beyond! Space travel, kids, toys
I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse - The Godfather (or another book about organized crime) or Negotiator
Ay Carumba! (Simpsons?)
Trust No One (X-files) a book with aliens, Government conspiracies, FBI., a book with paranormal investigators
Where we’re going, we don’t need roads - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, or other space travel or space opera book, Or a time travel book
Who You Gonna Call (ghost busters) - a book with ghosts or monster fighters. Rivers of London. ( US title is Midnight riot),

🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️Books about young female athletes - for Just do it, There’s no crying in baseball, Nothing but net, and maybe … Be the Ball
https://www.jenryland.com/ya-books-ab...

Great suggestions NancyJ — this is such a fun prompt!

"Is that your final answer?" is from Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?, not Jeopardy.

Want my MTV - rock stars or music books
Who's your Daddy - romance with the male mc questioning paternity, searching for biological parent or
I'm your Huckleberry - huckleberry Finn
Show me the money - bankers, finance related business in book, heists
You're gonna need a bigger boat - sharks, anything with ships
Nothin' but Net - basketball, competitions
Live Long and Prosper - any Star Trek book
Let's Get Ready to Rumble - world wrestling federation, but my mind goes to earthquakes

Mandy wrote: "Want my MTV - rock stars or music books
Who's your Daddy - romance with the male mc questioning paternity, searching for biological parent or
I'm your Huckleberry - huckleberry Finn
Show me the mo..."

Quite a few of the catch phrases could appeal to those who wanted a sports related prompt. Also romance, spy novels, crime, and a lot of different kinds of jobs.

It’s funny, I can remember the plots of books I read that fit many of these, but not the titles.

NancyJ wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Want my MTV - rock stars or music books
Who's your Daddy - romance with the male mc questioning paternity, searching for biological parent or
I'm your Huckleberry - huckleberry Finn
..."
Thank you for the suggestions, NancyJ. I think titles just don't come to mind for me either. This is more like a prompt for a creative writing exercise. The plot explanations helped, I don't think I'll vote against this prompt but I won't vote for it.

Mandy wrote: "Want my MTV - rock stars or music books
Who's your Daddy - romance with the male mc questioning paternity, searching for biological parent or
I'm your Huckleberry - huckleberry Finn
Show me the mo..."

Thanks, Mandy.

Robin P wrote: "Bec wrote: "Emily wrote: "It's now time to get ready to vote for our next set of prompts! The thread will be open for at least 24 hours before the poll gets posted. This is a good opportunity to as..."

Thanks. Yep makes sense.
I missed Emily's post about posting early and the link to voting - I only saw voting was open from the mods thread - it wasn't there when I posted (but I see it actually was as it was posted before I posted but I didn't see it when I replied. I'm obviously having issues with goodreads refreshing.
Edited to say - or maybe I missed there was a second page? Anyway, my bad, all good.

Hasta la vista baby is from terminator

Martha wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Want my MTV - rock stars or music books
Who's your Daddy - romance with the male mc questioning paternity, searching for biological parent or
I'm your Huckleberry - huckleberry Finn
..."

No prob.

Sadly, I can hear nearly every one of these catchphrases in my head from the original scenes and commercials

I remember when mtv came on for the first time. Karma chameleon and mr. mister’s kyrie were some of the first songs played. Good stuff.

Dire straits’ money for nothing came to my mind when I saw the mtv. The lyrics just spammed my mind.

Apologies for suggesting the timepiece prompt incorrectly. I access GR on my phone and find the wild discussion hard to keep up with .

I'm thinking the Full Moon names will become my side quest next year. There are some great ways of linking them to books.

°~Amy~° wrote: "The only suggestion I am struggling with is Summertime Blues. I read mostly Sci fi so that could be a challenge for me to fill. Otherwise I think I will have 7 or 8 up votes."

Ray Bradbury has a couple books that would fit well. One book has a story about the little girl who missed the ONE day the sun showed on her colony.

Sci-Fi has a lot of blue covers

NancyJ wrote: "Martha wrote: "I don't always get catchphrases. Can someone demonstrate some actual books that would go with catchphrases? I suppose I could always go with a book known for catchphrases in it, but ..."

Thanks for the list. This one will be fun to fill.
Left and Right is great too.

I have 4 upvotes so far and a lot of maybes.
My clear upvotes so far are Catch Phrase, NPR, X marks the spot, and Left or Right.
I also like History/HF, author names, Summertime Blues, Full Moons, and most of the others.

I'm not sure about a little magic.
I don't like these cover prompts as much as others we had.

Jennifer W wrote: "I think it was left open ended.

I like reading about mental health, so that's probably what I would do for it."

For Summertime Blues, I would read Blue Skies by Paula Masters

I have a question about A Touch of Magic

Can it be a more than a "touch" of magic?

Could it include anything in the fantasy genre?
Science fiction?

At first I didn’t care for the catch phrase prompt but now I’m thinking I’ll vote for it. It could be one of those fun prompts that you don’t plan for but then find the perfect book! The 2 phrases I’m thinking about are “It’s a jungle out there” and “Give a hoot, don’t pollute”.

Despite all the discussion over an X prompt, “X marks the spot” just isn’t resonating with me. Sometimes the more a prompt is discussed, the less interest I have. I do like finding an X in an authors name though so I will likely vote for JQZX in authors name.

Another really great week! I’m absolutely loving the creativity this round, really looking forward to what the final list will look like!

Upvotes:

2. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet - JQZX - Am I upvoting this because I have at least two favourite authors with one of these letters in their name? Yes, but that seems a very valid reason!

3. A book related to left or right - I just think this could be fun, and lead to a lot of interesting interpretations!

5. A book related to one of the traditional full moon names - I LOVE how poetic the traditional full moon names are, and this seems like it’d be a really fun and creative one.

6. A book related to X marks the Spot - Loved this one the first time it popped up, hope it gets in this time!

12. A history or historical fiction book - I read a lot of historical romance, so this would be a fun and easy one.

13. A book with a character who is neurodiverse - I am neurodiverse myself, and think this would be a fairly fun one to fill!


Downvotes:

1. A book with twins in it
7. A book featured in a “staff picks” display at a bookstore or library

Pam wrote: "At first I didn’t care for the catch phrase prompt but now I’m thinking I’ll vote for it. It could be one of those fun prompts that you don’t plan for but then find the perfect book! The 2 phrases ..."

Exactly. I love “It’s a jungle out there” and “Give a hoot, don’t pollute”. I have some perfect books about the Amazon Jungle.

Another catchphrase is: “It ain’t over till it’s over” (traditionally attributed to Yogi Berra, baseball) - among other connections this could be interpreted as pertaining to a retelling/ continuation of another book.

Judy wrote: "Pam wrote: "At first I didn’t care for the catch phrase prompt but now I’m thinking I’ll vote for it. It could be one of those fun prompts that you don’t plan for but then find the perfect book! Th..."

I have The Jungle - Upton Sinclair Modern library classics , The Jungle Books, and Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. I was also thinking about an environmental book. I like the prompt because you can pick your own catch phrase.

The catch phrase to me seems very wide to me. I'm sure if I just read a book, I will be able to find a phrase it fits.

Phair wrote: "Another catchphrase is: “It ain’t over till it’s over” (traditionally attributed to Yogi Berra, baseball) - among other connections this could be interpreted as pertaining to a retelling/ continuat..."

Or a book from a long-running (and still growing) series.

"Hasta La Vista, Baby" ... book with a character who speaks Spanish, book by an author who is considered Hispanic, book set in a predominantly Spanish-speaking country

Some books with neurodiverse characters
Still Alice
The Silver Linings Playbook
Flowers for Algernon
The Rosie Project
The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream

Kat wrote: "Apologies for suggesting the timepiece prompt incorrectly. I access GR on my phone and find the wild discussion hard to keep up with ..."

Kat, thank you for suggesting this prompt yesterday. I only had a short time to join in the suggested yesterday, and there were two I tried to second that someone just beat me on. I completely forgot about the “timepiece” prompt before I had to leave. I have a full time job so, like you, find it difficult to keep up with the wild discussion. The one day I checked in during a break I saw that someone had thrown out “what about something related to a timepiece” and the wording you entered in the voting was what I had suggested in response to that. However, when I skimmed through subsequent posts later I didn’t see any comments on it. So I for one am grateful for the prompt you entered.

Kat wrote: "Apologies for suggesting the timepiece prompt incorrectly. I access GR on my phone and find the wild discussion hard to keep up with .

I'm thinking the Full Moon names will become my side quest n..."

I am tempted to do the same thing (Moon names side quest). As soon as I started reading the descriptions I thought what a fun set of prompts those would be for a whole year.

Book Concierge wrote: "Some books with neurodiverse characters
Still Alice..."

I listened to the latest The Red Hot Chilli Writers podcast (with authors Vaseem Khan and Abir Mukherjee) last night. One subject they covered was neurodiversity in fiction. I fell asleep before it ended so I'm not sure how much they got into the subject!

As a reader of cozy mysteries, I love the catchphrase one! I have the following on my shelves

Live and Let Chai
Cheddar Off Dead
Color Me Murder
Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust
Meet Your Baker
Survival of the Fritters
Twelve Slays of Christmas

Amanda wrote: "As a reader of cozy mysteries, I love the catchphrase one! I have the following on my shelves

Live and Let Chai
Cheddar Off Dead
Color Me Murder
[bo..."

Oh yes, cozies will work well for this prompt!

Ooh Amanda, you’ve moved catchphrase to a definite yes! I loveee cozy mysteries.

NancyJ wrote: "Here are some ideas"

Thank you for the examples; you moved the catchphrases to yes for me.

I'm so tickled to see my catchphrase idea catching on. I think it will be fun, and I love seeing what people come up with.

Here's some additions to NancyJ's list:

Who Shot J.R.? - a murder mystery

I'm your Huckleberry - A line from the movie "Tombstone" said by Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer)

And Down the Stretch they Come - Horse Racing

Live Long and Prosper - Star Trek...another one is "Beam Me Up, Scottie"

Kiss my Grits! - from the TV show "Alice", set in a diner.

Here's a couple of catchphrases unique to the Pacific Northwest:

It's the Water - Olympia Beer (where my dad worked for 30+ years)

Oh Boy, Oberto - Oberto is a deli meat producer.

It's Grand Salami Time - From the late Dave Niehaus, sportscaster, voice of the Seattle Mariners. A Grand Slam Home Run.

More catchphrases (sorry if any of these are dupes - I may have missed some on the numerous comments on this fun prompt):

Did I Do That? (Urkel, Family Matters): use for a memoir

To Infinity and Beyond (Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story): a story involving space, math, or the multiverse

What You Talkin' About Willis? (Arnold, Different Strokes): a book involving a journalist or an interview

Lucy, I'm Hooome! (Ricky Ricardo, I Love Lucy): similar to this year's prompt about coming home, any story about finding home

Don't Touch the Charmin (toilet paper ad): a story about a museum (where you can't touch things)

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! (Jan, The Brady Bunch): a character or author named Marcia/Marsha

They're Great! (Tony the Tiger, Frosted Flakes ad): books involving anything great - Great Wall of China, Great Pyramid, Grateful Dead, Jerry Lee Lewis (Great Balls of Fire), Muhammed Ali (The Greatest), and person/athlete known as the Greatest of All Time (or GOAT)

Holy (varies) Batman! (Robin, Batman series): anything involving religion

Tracy wrote: "More catchphrases (sorry if any of these are dupes - I may have missed some on the numerous comments on this fun prompt):

Did I Do That? (Urkel, Family Matters): use for a memoir

To Infinity and ..."

It's Don't Squeeze the Charmin...

Thanks Robin, it’s been a while. I suppose if you shouldn’t touch anything in a museum, you shouldn’t squeeze items either (haha).

So maybe for the Charmin catchphrase instead it should be a story involving either a character known for hugging or someone who plays the accordion?

For catchphrases, I also thought of Janet Evanovich's number books. A lot of her titles could be considered catchphrases as well.

Another decent list of ideas and nothing on this list that I fear!

I am loving the suggestions for the catch phrase idea - this prompt seems super easy to me but no the less fun!

Robin-
Oh Boy, Oberto - Oberto is a deli meat producer - cracking me up with the creative thinking!

Well it's my first all up-votes of the year - just too many fun and interesting prompt ideas this round!

Jill wrote: "The catch phrase to me seems very wide to me. I'm sure if I just read a book, I will be able to find a phrase it fits."

I really don't like the catchphrase prompt because it's a really list of thousands of prompts. And then if it gets in it kind of puts a dampener on prompts based on singular common phrases, because they would be covered under that prompt.