The Next Best Book Club discussion

Here we go again! A new year, a new music themed reading challenge. I completed 8 out of 15 albums last year which was the most I've ever completed. Let's see how many I can get through this time!

I'm going to continue to limit myself to two tasks per book.

Big Top Halloween (1988)

“Here Comes Jesus” – Read a book that features religionFather Gaetano's Puppet Catechism: A Novella by by Mike Mignola
“In My Town” – Read a book that takes place in your hometown/state, or is written by an author from thereWhen the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy
“Priscilla’s Wedding” – Read a book that features a female protagonistMy Husband
“Push” – Read a book that you had to push yourself to finish (and probably should have DNFd but didn’t)Grasshands by Kyle Winkler
“Scream” – Read a book that scares the beejezus out of you
“But Listen” – Read a book that you know you’ll never stop talking aboutThe Seas by Samantha Hunt
“Big Top Halloween” – Read a Halloween themed booksSister Funtime by Spencer Hamilton
“Life in a Day” – Read a book cover to cover in one day and take credit for it hereRing Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
“Sammy” – Read a book that features someone’s name in the titleJulia by Sandra Newman
“Doughball” – Read a book that prominently features foodThe Lamb by Lucy Rose
“Back o’ the Line” – Read the book that’s been sitting in your TBR the longestGod Jr. by Dennis Cooper
“Greek is Extra” – Read a book written by an author from a different nationality/culture than youA Carnival of Atrocities by Natalia García Freire


Up In It (1990)

“Retarded” – Read a book that is highly offensive and/or features very dated and inappropriate themes in today’s cultureBlood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen
“White Trash Party” – Read a trashy novel
“Hated” – Read a book and if you absolutely hated it, take credit for it hereWe Who Hunt Alexanders by Jason Sanford
“Southpaw” – Read a book that’s a little off kilter or left of centerThe Repeat Room by Jesse Ball
“Amphetamines and Coffee” – Read a book that features addiction
“Now We Can Begin” – Read the first book in a series and take credit for it hereAnnihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
“You My Flower” - Read a book with flowers on the coverThe Garden by Nick Newman
“Son of the South” – Read a book that is set in southern stateAbsolution by Jeff VanderMeer
“I Know Your Little Secret” – Read a book you’d consider a guilty pleasureHow to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold
“I Am the Sticks” – Get cozy with a seasonal readThis Cruise Sucks by Nico Bell


Congregation (1992) COMPLETE!!!

“Her Against Me” – Read a thrillerHow to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold
“I’m Her Slave” – Read a book written by a female author or an author who identifies as femaleBeta Vulgaris by Margie Sarsfield
“Turn on the Water” – Read a cli-fi bookMigrations by Charlotte McConaghy
“Conjure Me” – Read a book that features ghosts/spiritsRose of Jericho by Alex Grecian
“Kiss the Floor” – Read a book with romance elementsThis Cruise Sucks by Nico Bell
“Congregation” – Let yourself be influenced by the masses, read a book that’s heavily featured on Bookstagram or TikTokThe Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig
“This is My Confession” – Read an autobiography or an auto-fiction titleFrom the Wreck by Jane Rawson
“Dedicate it” – Read a chunkster, a book with 400+ pagesRed Rabbit by Alex Grecian
“The Temple” – Free space, read anything you want and take credit for it hereThe Rotting Room
by Viggy Parr Hampton
“Let Me Lie to You” – Read a book with a twist you did not see comingMy Husband
“Tonight” – Read a book in one sittingAll Systems Red by Martha Wells
“Miles Iz Ded” – Read a book that features made up language or unique vernacularJulia by Sandra Newman

Gentlemen (1993)

“If I Were Going” – Read a book while on a road trip/vacationFather Gaetano's Puppet Catechism: A Novella by by Mike Mignola
“Gentlemen” – If you read a book that you are absolutely obsessed over, take credit hereAmerican Mythology by Giano Cromley
“Be Sweet” – Read a book that’s lighthearted and cutesyThe Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by Philip Fracassi
“Debonair” – Read a book that made you feel fancy
“When We Two Parted” – Read a book that you never wanted to endToo Old for This by Samantha Downing
“Fountain and Fairfax” – Read a book that focuses on place and landscapeAcceptance by Jeff VanderMeer
“What Jail is Like” – Read a book that kept you captive the entire timeWhite Line Fever by K.C. Jones
“My Curse” – If you read a book that everyone else loved but you didn’t, take credit for it hereGrasshands by Kyle Winkler
“Now You Know” – Read a new-to-you genre
“I Keep Coming Back” – If you re-read a book, take credit for it hereAuthority by Jeff VanderMeer
“Brother Woodrow/Closing Prayer” – Save this spot for the last book you read this year!


Black Love (1996)

“Crime Scene Part One” – Read a true crime book or crime novel
“My Enemy” – Give ‘em another chance, read a book by an author you read previously but didn’t likeThe Burial Tide by Neil Sharpson
“Double Day” – Free space, read anything you want and take credit for it hereI Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
“Blame, etc” – Finally read that book you keep meaning to read but have been putting offIncidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
“Step Into the Light” – Read a book that won an awardThe Emissary by Yōko Tawada
“Going to Town” – Go buy a book, read it immediately, and take credit for it hereThe Lamb by Lucy Rose
“Honky’s Ladder” – Read a book with a wildly inappropriate or misleading titleWe Are Always Tender With Our Dead by Eric LaRocca
“Night by Candlelight” – Read a historical fiction bookRing Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
“Bulletproof” – Read a book with a lot of actionThe Wolf Wants Answers by Joshua Mohr
“Summer’s Kiss” – Read a book set in the summertime, or a book that could be considered a beach readThe Sofa by Sam Munson
“Faded” – Read a used book (the more beat up the better)The Repeat Room by Jesse Ball


1965 (1998) COMPLETED!!!!

“Somethin’ Hot” – Read a book that’s got sizzlin’ spicy romance in itVampires at Sea by Lindsay Merbaum
“Crazy” – Read a bizarro or weird fiction bookPerson by Sam Pink
“Uptown Again” – Read a book that’s set in a big cityOne Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
“Sweet Son of a Bitch” – If you read a book and gave it 5 stars, take credit for it hereThe Antidote by Karen Russell
“66” – Read a book that features an elderly protagonistThe Garden by Nick Newman
“Citi Soleil” – Read a book that’s translated from another languageThe Country Will Bring Us No Peace by Matthieu Simard
“John the Baptist” – Read a book that features a character with a different or unique job/careerBeta Vulgaris by Margie Sarsfield
“The Slide Song” – Slide out of that book you’ve been struggling to read, go on, DNF it and take credit for it hereFlashlight by Susan Choi
“Neglekted” – Read a book that’s been on your TBR for over a yearFather of Lies by Brian Evenson
“Omerta” – Read a book set in a made-up placeThe Cut by C.J. Dotson
“The Vampire Lanois” – Read a book that features vampires or other creatures of the nightBlood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen

Do to the Beast (2014) COMPLETED!!!!

“Parked Outside” – Read a book in which the main character is on the run from somethingWhen the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy
“Matamoros” – Read a book set in another country Eat the Ones You Love
“It Kills” – Read a book that features a slasher or a lot of goreStrangers by David Moody
“Algiers” – Read a book written by an author of a different nationality than youThe Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth
“Lost in the Woods” – Read a book that takes place in or around the woodsListen to Your Sister by Neena Viel
“The Lottery” – Read a book that was gifted to youThe Glass Garden
“Can Rova” – Free space, if there are no prompts that fit the book just you read, take credit for it hereDark Matter: A Ghost Story by Michelle Paver
“Royal Cream” – Read a book that features foodThe Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
“I Am Fire” – Read a book with a red coverThe Burial Tide by Neil Sharpson

“These Sticks” – Read Appalachian fiction or a book that takes place in the Fall The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by Philip Fracassi


In Spades (2017)

“Birdland” – Read a book with a bird on the cover or that features birdsThe Country Will Bring Us No Peace by Matthieu Simard
“Arabian Heights” – Read a book that’s considered a classic
“Demon in Profile” – Read a book that features demons or possessionThe Sofa by Sam Munson
“Toy Automatic” – Read a YA bookBones & All by Camille DeAngelis
“Oriole” – Read a book with a red coverCoffin Moon by Keith Rosson
“Copernicus” – Read a book that takes place in outer spaceAll Systems Red by Martha Wells
“The Spell” – Read a book that features witches or the occultThe Antidote by Karen Russell
“Light as a Feather” – Read a book that is less than 100 pages longPerson by Sam Pink
“I Got Lost” – Read a book that confused the heck out of youA Carnival of Atrocities by Natalia García Freire
“Into the Floor” – Read a book that’s just totally trippyI Gave You Eyes and You Looked Toward Darkness by Irene Solà


How Do You Burn (2022)

“I’ll Make You See God” – Read a book that prominently features death or griefRose of Jericho by Alex Grecian
“The Getaway” – Go hide from everyone and read a book, then take credit for it hereGliff by Ali Smith
“Catch a Colt” – Read a western, or a book that features horses/cowboysRed Rabbit by Alex Grecian
“Jyja” – Read a book with one word in the titleAcceptance by Jeff VanderMeer
“Please, Baby, Please” – Read your most anticipated book of the year and take credit for it herePlaying Wolf by Zuzana Říhová
“A Line of Shots” – Read a book that’s set in a bar/features a lot of drinkingWeepers by Peter Mendelsund
“Domino and Jimmy” – Read a book about BFFsWhite Line Fever by K.C. Jones
“Take Me There” – Read a book that features a place or thing that you’ve visited or experienced
“Concealer” – Read a book that turned out to be something different than you had expectedListen to Your Sister by Neena Viel
“In Flames” – Read a book that really pissed you offThe Cut by C.J. Dotson

Book 1: My Husband

Big Top Halloween
“Priscilla’s Wedding” – Read a book that features a female protagonist

Congregation
“Let Me Lie to You” – Read a book with a twist you did not see coming

what a cool idea 🙂

Book 2: Grasshands by Kyle Winkler

Big Top Halloween
“Push” – Read a book that you had to push yourself to finish (and probably should have DNFd but didn’t)

Gentlemen
“My Curse” – If you read a book that everyone else loved but you didn’t, take credit for it here

Book 3: The Country Will Bring Us No Peace by Matthieu Simard

1965
“Citi Soleil” – Read a book that’s translated from another language

In Spades
“Birdland” – Read a book with a bird on the cover or that features birds

Book 4: Father Gaetano's Puppet Catechism: A Novella by Mike Mignola

Big Top Halloween
“Here Comes Jesus” – Read a book that features religion

Gentlemen
“If I Were Going” – Read a book while on a road trip/vacation

Book 5: Julia by Sandra Newman

Congregation
“Miles Iz Ded” – Read a book that features made up language or unique vernacular

Big Top Halloween
“Sammy” – Read a book that features someone’s name in the title

Book 6: When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

Big Top Halloween
“In My Town” – Read a book that takes place in your hometown/state, or is written by an author from there

Do to the Beast
“Parked Outside” – Read a book in which the main character is on the run from something

Book 7: The Repeat Room by Jesse Ball

Up In It
“Southpaw” – Read a book that’s a little off kilter or left of center

Black Love
“Faded” – Read a used book (the more beat up the better)

Book 8: Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel

How Do You Burn
“Concealer” – Read a book that turned out to be something different than you had expected

Do The Beast
“Lost in the Woods” – Read a book that takes place in or around the woods

Book 9:Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

Big Top Halloween
“Life in a Day” – Read a book cover to cover in one day and take credit for it here

Black Love
“Night by Candlelight” – Read a historical fiction book

Book 10: Beta Vulgaris by Margie Sarsfield

1965
“John the Baptist” – Read a book that features a character with a different or unique job/career

Congregation
“I’m Her Slave” – Read a book written by a female author or an author who identifies as female

Book 11: The Garden by Nick Newman

Up In It
“You My Flower” - Read a book with flowers on the cover

1965
“66” – Read a book that features an elderly protagonist

Book 12: Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian

How Do You Burn
“Catch a Colt” – Read a western, or a book that features horses/cowboys

Congregation
“Dedicate it” – Read a chunkster, a book with 400+ pages

Book 13: The Antidote by Karen Russell

In Spades
“The Spell” – Read a book that features witches or the occult

1965
“Sweet Son of a Bitch” – If you read a book and gave it 5 stars, take credit for it here

Book 14: The Lamb by Lucy Rose

Big Top Halloween
“Doughball” – Read a book that prominently features food

Black Love
“Going to Town” – Go buy a book, read it immediately, and take credit for it here

Book 15: Rose of Jericho by Alex Grecian

Congregation
“Conjure Me” – Read a book that features ghosts/spirits

How Do You Burn
“I’ll Make You See God” – Read a book that prominently features death or grief

Book 16: The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth

Do the Beast
“Algiers” – Read a book written by an author of a different nationality than you

Book 17: White Line Fever by K.C. Jones

How Do You Burn
“Domino and Jimmy” – Read a book about BFFs

Gentleman
“What Jail is Like” – Read a book that kept you captive the entire time

Book 18: Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen

Up In It
“Retarded” – Read a book that is highly offensive and/or features very dated and inappropriate themes in today’s culture

1965
“The Vampire Lanois” – Read a book that features vampires or other creatures of the night

Book 19:I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger

Black Love
“Double Day” – Free space, read anything you want and take credit for it here

Book 20: Bones & All by Camille DeAngelis

In Spades
“Toy Automatic” – Read a YA book

Book 21:Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer (audiobook) re-listen

Up In It
“Now We Can Begin” – Read the first book in a series and take credit for it here

Book 22: The Cut by C.J. Dotson

1965
“Omerta” – Read a book set in a made-up place

How Do You Burn
“In Flames” – Read a book that really pissed you off

Book 23: Authorityby Jeff VanderMeer (Audiobook relisten)

Gentlemen
“I Keep Coming Back” – If you re-read a book, take credit for it here

Book 24: A Carnival of Atrocities by Natalia García Freire

Big Top Halloween
“Greek is Extra” – Read a book written by an author from a different nationality/culture than you

In Spades
“I Got Lost” – Read a book that confused the heck out of you

Book 25: Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer (audiobook relisten)

Gentlemen
“Fountain and Fairfax” – Read a book that focuses on place and landscape

How Do You Burn
“Jyja” – Read a book with one word in the title

Book 26: Eat the Ones You Love

Do to the Beast
“Matamoros” – Read a book set in another country

Book 27: All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Congregation
“Tonight” – Read a book in one sitting

In Spades
“Copernicus” – Read a book that takes place in outer space

Book 28: I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Toward Darkness by Irene Solà

In Spades
“Into the Floor” – Read a book that’s just totally trippy

Book 29 The Glass Garden

Do To The Beast
“The Lottery” – Read a book that was gifted to you

Book 30: The Emissary by Yōko Tawada

Black Love
“Step Into the Light” – Read a book that won an award

Book 31: The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

Do To The Beast
“Royal Cream” – Read a book that features food

Book 32:Weepers by Peter Mendelsund

How Do You Burn
“A Line of Shots” – Read a book that’s set in a bar/features a lot of drinking

Book 33: Strangers by David Moody

Do to the Beast
“It Kills” – Read a book that features a slasher or a lot of gore

Book 34: Dark Matter: A Ghost Story by Michelle Paver

Do to the Beast
“Can Rova” – Free space, if there are no prompts that fit the book just you read, take credit for it here

Book 35: The Rotting Room
by Viggy Parr Hampton

Congregation
“The Temple” – Free space, read anything you want and take credit for it here

Book 36: We Who Hunt Alexanders by Jason Sanford

Up In It
“Hated” – Read a book and if you absolutely hated it, take credit for it here

Book 37: Father of Lies by Brian Evenson

1965
“Neglekted” – Read a book that’s been on your TBR for over a year

Book 38: Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer (Audiobook)

Up In It
“Son of the South” – Read a book that is set in southern state

Book 39:One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford

1965
“Uptown Again” – Read a book that’s set in a big city

Book 40: Leutogi: A Horror Story by H.T. Boyd

Book 41: God Jr. by Dennis Cooper

Big Top Halloween
“Back o’ the Line” – Read the book that’s been sitting in your TBR the longest

Book 42: Person by Sam Pink

1965
“Crazy” – Read a bizarro or weird fiction book

In Spades
“Light as a Feather” – Read a book that is less than 100 pages long

Book 43: Gliff by Ali Smith

How Do You Burn
“The Getaway” – Go hide from everyone and read a book, then take credit for it here

Book 44: The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig

Congregation
“Congregation” – Let yourself be influenced by the masses, read a book that’s heavily featured on Bookstagram or TikTok


Book 45: A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck

Book 46: The Sofa by Sam Munson

Black Love
“Summer’s Kiss” – Read a book set in the summertime, or a book that could be considered a beach read

In Spades
“Demon in Profile” – Read a book that features demons or possession