Around the USA in 52 Books discussion

Hi everyone! I've had such a good time over on the Around the World in 52 Books Challenge, that I decided to do something similar for 2012. I've been gathering book ideas throughout the year, and already have collected some books, so I thought I'd get the group going so other people could start making lists.

After all, lists are fun.

My basic introduction is that I am an academic librarian and avid baker. I blog over at Reading Envy but post the same reviews here.

Jen,
Your idea takes the cake! There is time to mull over some choice titles before 2013. I hope to put a Faulkner and a Pynchon in the list.

Faulkner would be a great pick for one of the southern states, for sure. Maybe I'll try for that too! Some Pynchon would be California, but he has books set other places.

Hi! I'm in. Going to do Around the World again next year too, but as long as I fit my 1001, Orange, and Pulitzer books in here and there, than I can probably manage it! Will have to start generating the list! I'm listening to Miss Lonelyhearts now, too bad, cause it is short and would be a good NYC. Other Nathanael West would be quick and CA. Ok, obviously I'm already thinking... Oh, and I put in a plug for the work of Anthony Grooms. He does some wonderful work related to the South of the 1960s.

I also am slowly building my list. Those books sound interesting, Beth.

I was also considering Guam, Puerto Rico or the American Virgin Islands in the addition to the fifty states to make 52.

Chieko wrote: "I was also considering Guam, Puerto Rico or the American Virgin Islands in the addition to the fifty states to make 52."
Definitely another option!

Hi, everyone,
My name is Melissa. When I'm not reading, I like doing stuff with my extremely energetic dog, browsing at bookstores and the library, and talking to friends.
I joined Around the US in 52 Books because I thought something would be fun.

Melissa wrote: "Hi, everyone,
My name is Melissa. When I'm not reading, I like doing stuff with my extremely energetic dog, browsing at bookstores and the library, and talking to friends.
I joined Around the US in..."

Great to meet you. You'll have fun here. We are mostly hearty veterans of the Around the World tour this year--very fun and chatty group.

So does your very energetic dog do agility? I have friends who compete with their dogs. My dog, on the other hand is a footstool who eats. Bulldogs not known for their energy...

No. He's not good with other dogs. He seems to be under the impression that they're evil and he needs to keep them off his property and away from his humans, so he can keep our attention all to himself.
I did notice a couple people I knew from Around the World, like Jenny.

Hey everyone ... my name is Susan. I joined from the "Around the World in 52 Books" group which I will probably continue to do. Decided I read so many books set in the USA that I should join this group and try to read something more than serials ... (although those Carolyn Haines Sarah Booth Delaney books are a hoot!) Genealogy is a huge pastime with me ... and I enjoy hand stitching as well. A gypsy at heart, I love to travel ... either physically or with a good book.

Visited the author's website with the Sarah Booth Delaney books webpage. The series really looks fun.

Hello, I'm from the "Around the World in 52 Books" group too, and I'd love to become more familiar with various American states in 2013 (and I loooove making the lists!!! :-)

Louise wrote: "Hello, I'm from the "Around the World in 52 Books" group too, and I'd love to become more familiar with various American states in 2013 (and I loooove making the lists!!! :-)"
Oh my gosh the lists are my favorite part. And slowly accumulating the books.

I started late on Around the World. I really want to plan out my USA Roadtrip well in advance.

"USA Roadtrip" is a good, descriptive phrase.

Jen,
I saw your challenge on your site and I'm in! What a great idea. I'm hoping this will help me knock-out some of the Pultzer winners.

Hello, my name is Diane. I, too, am a member of the Around the World in 52 books group. I am also moderator of Around the World in 80 books. I joined this group because I need help getting excited about reading books set in my own country. I am all about reading around the world (I have read over 100 books from around the world this year), but need to read more books set in the US (I have read only 4 USA books this year, despite the fact that I am hosting a challenge reading books from the USA). I probably have all 50 states collecting dust on my bookshelves and taking up valuable space on my Kindle, so here I am.

Hello Diane - look forward to seeing your list :-)

This might not be the best place to write this, but I couldn't figure out where else to put it. I figured since several people expressed an interest in doing something similar for Canada, I might as well create a group. The link is http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/7...

Since you mentioned the Canada reading tour, Melissa, I would like to add that The Imprinted Life is reading Canadian Mary Novik's Conceit Aug 20-Sept 19, 2012. She's in British Columbia and in The Imprinted Life group. I hope you and others will enrich this discussion.

Hello, my name is Stacy. I've been looking for a reading plan and this one sounds like fun. I can't wait to get my list together and see what everyone else comes up with.

Hi, Stacy, Glad to meet you. There are some people who have driven through or have visited all the contiguous states, but this reading list seems the only way of doing that! What about you?

I've been to a few states but this may be the only way to visit them all. I've been compiling my list. It has been fun but it's a lot of work. I haven't been reading much lately. I'm looking forward reading again.

Hello all. I'll be done with countries by 2013, so I'll join you for US states, territories, and possessions. I'll probably list those I've already read and identify those I need to cover. My personal rule is that the author needs to have lived in the target geographic area for at least two years.

Hi everyone. I'm also from the 52 books around the world group, and looking for a new challenge for 2013. I have quite a few suitable books on my bookshelf and hope to get the rest from Boxall's 1001 lists. I welcome ideas and corrections on my list when I get around to putting it up as I may have mistakes in the settings (as a non-local).

Welcome to all of you! I'm finally starting to buckle down and figure out book ideas for the states I haven't covered yet.

On second thought I decided to join but will probably stretch it over two years to make time for studying, knitting and gaming.

Sounds sensible Chieko :-)

I have loved the 52 Books Around the World Group, but wanted to make a dent in my bookshelves, which now has quite a few books from the USA left. Great idea, Jenny - I'm looking forward to some great ideas and good discussion!

Hello! My name is Brandy and I have finally gotten around to scanning all my books into my computer and have become active on Goodreads just in the past month or so. I'm looking for some good groups for discussion next year and thought this would be fun to try. I'll start going through books this weekend to set up my list and hopefully be able to build it off of just books I already own. I recently acquired a few hundred when my friends all switched over to e-readers!

Can't wait!

Welcome, Brandy! Have fun going through those books you recently acquired -I'm looking forward to seeing your list and engaging in discussion during the coming year!

Hi Brandy! What wonderful friends you have! Welcome to the group!

Hello! My name is Rachel. I love to make lists and set challenges for myself for motivation, so this seems like a great goal for next year!

What are your guys' favorite genre of books? I'll read practically anything, and tend to read in phases: a lot of sci fi, then a lot of mystery, then a block of YA, then a bunch of manga, etc. I've always read a lot of YA, and this past year, have read a lot of the new YA distopias. I'm also a fan of graphic novels, particularly shojo manga. My favorite thing to listen to while driving is nonfiction, particularly memoirs read by their author.

My sisters and I decided we wanted to join the reading challenge but just don't have time to read all 50 states.

We decided to follow the Appalachian Trail (14 states) and if we have time add Route 66 (eight states).

Chieko wrote: "My sisters and I decided we wanted to join the reading challenge but just don't have time to read all 50 states.

We decided to follow the Appalachian Trail (14 states) and if we have time add Rout..."

Really love this idea!

Rach wrote: "Hello! My name is Rachel. I love to make lists and set challenges for myself for motivation, so this seems like a great goal for next year!

What are your guys' favorite genre of books? I'll read p..."

Hello Rachel :-)
I like reading short stories, literary books, books based on roleplaying games I like, historical novels, chick lit, fantasy, urban fantasy and books on books

I am going to have a go at completing this challenge. I have ordered some books from the library so it depends when they arrive. I don't have much time to research and put together a list myself so am going to looking at other people's and nicking ideas from them. I am going to order 4 or 5 books a month and see how I go.

Manda, tell us more about how you will incorporate knitting, I'm intrigued!

Welcome to you and Den!

Den wrote: "I am going to have a go at completing this challenge. I have ordered some books from the library so it depends when they arrive. I don't have much time to research and put together a list myself so..."

Welcome, Den! I look forward to seeing what you will be reading. Many people ultimately decide as they go, switching books along the way. It's all fun!

Manda wrote: "Hi - Im Manda and I usually read about 50 books per year so love this challenge - have read around the world in the past.

2013 onwards is the start of my life destash period - yarn and books mai..."

I love to knit also! Maybe I should try a knitting challenge - would love to hear more about yours!

Okay Manda you are my hero! That is a great deal to accomplish!

Wow, this is amazing. Looking forward to your baker's dozens. :)

Hi. I am Candy from Massachusetts. This sounds like a fun challenge. I will spend some time this week working on a list of books for this challenge. Some will come from my book club choices.

Please let me know if you have any questions for me.

Candy wrote: "Hi. I am Candy from Massachusetts. This sounds like a fun challenge. I will spend some time this week working on a list of books for this challenge. Some will come from my book club choices.

Pl..."

Welcome, Candy! I'm looking forward to seeing what books you'll be reading!

Manda wrote: "I've copied and pasted from ravelry. I joined a group there called 13 of 13 in 2013. Basically you chose 13 targets for the year and do it 13 times. Knitting and reading are equal passions for me..."

Wow! I love your challenge! While I can't take on that many knitting projects, perhaps I could challenge myself to knit 13 different projects:)

Hello My name is Angel. I love to read when I can and along with trying to meet my challenge of 200 books for 2013 I figured hey why not try for 52 states and DC. Makes it more interesting and fun. Since I am already at 10 for the year (I love me some free Kindle books) I decided to start today instead of with those 10. Here we go onto a new challenge.

Welcome Meghan, and hey, we don't care if you read YA here, just in case.

Welcome Angel! You can do it! I hit 200 last year and it felt good.

Rach wrote: "Hello! My name is Rachel. I love to make lists and set challenges for myself for motivation, so this seems like a great goal for next year!

What are your guys' favorite genre of books? I'll read p..."

As you will see, I tend to obsessively try to knock off award winners and books on the 1001 books list. So mostly Lit Fic.

Manda wrote: "I've copied and pasted from ravelry. I joined a group there called 13 of 13 in 2013. Basically you chose 13 targets for the year and do it 13 times. Knitting and reading are equal passions for me..."

This is great! Good luck!!! I should probably try to do 13 half marathons this year, but not sure I can afford it!