Around The Year In 52 Books | 2019

Evening all, I hope you’re all well and not stuck in any form of rut in this middle ground between Christmas and New Year. We’re quite lucky in our house, my Mum’s birthday falls on the 28th December so we usually do something to celebrate and it’s a good way of seeing through this Chrimbo Limbo. It’s a time I like to use to think about what worked and what didn’t work throughout the year and things that I would like to carry on with, or start ready for the new year.

With this in mind, I’ve been thinking about books, readathons, and reading challenges. The year is nearly out and I think I am going to really struggle to complete 2018’s Around the Year in 52 Books challenge but I have quite enjoyed this particular one. I wrote about my struggles and feelings relating to this sort of thing a few days ago and now as I have thought about it, I have chosen this as the only year long reading challenge I am going to attempt in 2019.

As the year goes by and I begin to fulfil the challenges, I plan to update the list and state which book I read. I am also planning on updating my Goodreads throughout. If you decide to take part too then there is a great Goodreads group that is the epicentre of all things relating to the reading challenge and has hints and ideas if you’re struggling for an idea in a particular area!

1. A book that was nominated for or won an award in a genre you enjoy
2. A book with one of the 5 W’s in the title (Who, What, Where, When, Why)
3. A book where the author’s name contains A, T, and Y
   • The Charmed Life of Alex Moore Molly Flatt
4. A book with a criminal character (i.e. assassin, pirate, thief, robber, scoundrel etc)
5. A book by Shakespeare or inspired by Shakespeare
6. A book with a dual timeline
7. 2 books related to the same topic, genre, or theme: Book #1
   • Seafire Natalie C. Parker
8. 2 books related to the same topic, genre, or theme: Book #2
   • These Rebel Waves Sara Raasch
9. A book from one of the top 5 money making genres (romance/erotica, crime/mystery, religious/inspirational, science fiction/fantasy or horror)
   • Dating You/Hating You Christina Lauren
10. A book featuring an historical figure
11. A book related to one of the 12 Zodiac Chinese Animals (title, cover, subject)
    • The Priory of the Orange Tree Samantha Shannon
12. A book about reading, books or an author/writer
13. A book that is included on a New York Public Library Staff Picks list
14. A book with a title, subtitle or cover relating to an astronomical term
15. A book by an author from a Mediterranean country or set in a Mediterranean country
16. A book told from multiple perspectives
    • The Gilded Wolves Roshani Chokshi
17. A speculative fiction (i.e. fantasy, scifi, horror, dystopia)
18. A book related to one of the elements on the periodic table of elements
19. A book by an author who has more than one book on your TBR
20. A book featuring indigenous people of a country
21. A book from one of the polarizing or close call votes
22. A book with a number in the title or on the cover
23. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #1 Something Old
24. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #2 Something New
    • Happier Thinking Lana Grace Riva
25. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #3 Something Borrowed
26. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #4 Something Blue
27. A book off of the 1001 books to read before you die list
28. A book related to something cold (i.e. theme, title, author, cover, etc.)
29. A book published before 1950
30. A book featuring an elderly character
31. A children’s classic you’ve never read
32. A book with more than 500 pages
    • King of Scars Leigh Bardugo
33. A book you have owned for at least a year, but have not read yet
34. A book with a person’s name in the title
    • The Last Romeo Justin Myers
35. A psychological thriller
36. A book featured on an NPR Best Books of the Year list
    • Born to Run Bruce Springsteen
37. A book set in a school or university
38. A book not written in traditional novel format (poetry, essay, epistolary, graphic novel, etc)
39. A book with a strong sense of place or where the author brings the location/setting to life
    • Northanger Abbey Jane Austen
40. A book you stumbled upon
41. A book from the 2018 GR Choice Awards
42. A book with a monster or “monstrous” character
43. A book related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) [fiction or nonfiction]
44. A book related in some way to a tv show/series or movie you enjoyed (same topic, same era, book appeared in the show/movie, etc.)
45. A multi-generational saga
46. A book with a (mostly) black cover
47. A book related to food (i.e. title, cover, plot, etc.)
    • The Proposal Jasmine Guillory
48. A book that was a finalist or winner for the National Book Award for any year
49. A book written by a Far East Asian author or set in a Far East Asian country
50. A book that includes a journey (physical, health, or spiritual)
    • The Power Naomi Alderman
51. A book published in 2019
    • Gentleman Sinner Jodi Ellen Malpas
52. A book with a weird or intriguing title
    • The Bloody Chamber and Other Short Stories Angela Carter

Have you taken part before? 

Are you taking part in Around the Year in 52 Books in 2019?