The 52 Book Club: 2025 Challenge discussion

25. An Author “Everyone” Has Read Except You

Similar to the prompt on our 2023 challenge “a book everyone has read,” this time we’re looking for an author that “everyone” has read – except you, of course.

The prompt is purely subjective but may include: authors on New York Times Bestseller lists, authors whose books frequently pop up in our Facebook group or on BookTok, etc.

The author doesn’t necessarily have to have widespread popularity. You may interpret this prompt as a local author that your town can’t stop talking about, or an author that all of your personal friends or family have read, etc.

Your definition of an author “everyone has read” will likely differ from other participants, and that’s part of what makes this challenge so fun. If you feel like you’ve been missing out on an author’s work and need to know what all the hype is about, it’s a book that works for this prompt!


Click here for our Goodreads List of suggestions

A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland

I'm planning on reading It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover

I’m thinking it’s time I read something by Toni Morrison or John Le Carre. Possibly Graham Greene.

A good girl's guide to murder by Holly Jackson

I plan to read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

Agatha Christie - And Then There Were None.

I will be reading The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf.

The Secret History by Donna Tarrt

Throne of glass, or the fourth wing

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

I’m planning to read “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone “ by J.K. Rowling.

I plan to read a book by Geraldine Brooks. Horse or Year of Wonders or Caleb's Crossing

I interpreted this category differently than most. I read lots of southern literature set in the south (USA) and I chose the debut book of a favorite author and his series set in Kentucky. Most of my friends in my group have read this one.

Nathan Coulter by Wendell Berry

I'm reading The Sophisticated Cat, a collection of short stories about..cats. It is edited by Joyce Carol Oates who it seems everyone has read, and also features many other authors "everyone" else has read or at least pretended to...P. G. Wodehouse, Balzac, James Herriot and many others

Back when I worked in a library, John Sandford was hugely popular. I think I'll try one of his.

Lolita.....

I’m planning to finally read something by Agatha Christie.

My father has read every one of Louis L’Amor’s books; I’m certain of it. I’ve never wanted to read one but I think it’s time since my dad is 87 and I’d like to discuss at least one book with him (if he remembers the plot) haha Last of the Breed

This was a hard pick because there are many authors I feel like everyone has read except for me, but I own the books of said authors, I just haven’t got around to reading them yet.
I decided I would read ACOTAR by Sara J Maas to see what all the hype is about, if I can’t get into it I will read The fellowship of the ring by J.R.R Tolkien.

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

My book choice is The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel

I will finally find out what all the hype is about and I will read People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

A few of my friends and coworkers are passionate Haruki Murakami fans so I'm going to read Norwegian Wood

I’ll be reading “I know why the caged bird sings” by Maya Angelou

Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

I'll buy or borrow for this prompt. I'll be reading The Things We Do for Love by Kristin Hannah, which will cover the lyrics prompt. I also have Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty on my bookshelf.

I will also listen to November 9 by Colleen Hoover. I listened to It Ends With Us last year, but I didn't like it. Everyone seems to love her books, so I'm going to try again.

Colleen Hoover something. I have yet to jump on that bandwagon

My choice: My Darling Bride by Ilsa Madden-Mills

I'm thinking about doing my first Stephen King, and since I have a very over active imagination it will probably be 11*22*63 or Fairy tale

Just started the first Hunger Games book by Suzanne Collins.

This can be my chance to finally read something by Taylor Jenkins Reid... but I still have to choose which one.

I'm thinking Yellowface by R. F. Kuang!

I'm reading the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas.

For this prompt I've read The Overstory by Richard Powers It is my first book by this author

The Spanish Love Deception By Elena Armas.

I'm going with either The Wish or Dreamland .

I'm going to finally read Babel by RF Kuang. It's been sitting on my shelf forever, and it has a lot of promising reasons why I should like it :)

I’ve completely missed out on James McBride - Will probably read The Good Lord Bird

Brenda wrote: "I’ve completely missed out on James McBride - Will probably read The Good Lord Bird"

That's who I read for this prompt also. I read The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.

I read my first Louise Penny “Still Life”. Very good!

I’ll probably read an Agatha Christie book. Never read a single one

Finally reading Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros!

I read Becoming by Michelle Obama.

I read Determined by Robert Sapolsky.

I finally read a Fredrik Backman book, chose A Man Called Ove and it didn’t disappoint.

I read The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. I will read more of his books...

I read Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

I read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo for this prompt. I'd never read it or seen the films, based on the marketing it looked like it was all going to be about computer hacking - I couldn't imagine anything more dull.

I can't believe I put off reading it for so long, it's such a gripping detective /mystery read!