52 Books in 52 weeks - 2021
Remember, first and foremost, I look at challenges as a gateway to new reading paths, a fun way to nudge me in a new direction with my reading. It's not a competition and if I don't finish, I don't care; but, I'm going to give it a shot! After last year's mammoth effort, I'm scaling back this year and only joining two.......Are you inspired to join me? You can find more challenges in this comprehensive list here.
New to me this year is the 52 Book Club, hosted by Liz. There look to be some interesting, different, and a few simple categories.
Here's where I'll track my efforts to complete the challenge in 2021. I'll be double dipping some of the books that will also fit categories in the other challenge. I started by taking the lists and perusing my own bookshelves to see what I already own that will fit the challenge. Then, as I search the forums for ideas, I watch for books I know are already on my TBR list. Finally, I fill in with books totally new-to-me. Completed books will be in bold with a cover image and links to the reviews in bold and blue.
1 - set in a school
Well Schooled in Murder #3 by Elizabeth George
2 - featuring the legal profession
The Law of Innocence #6 Haller by Michael Connelly, 432 pages
Haller finds himself in trouble when he's framed for a murder and must defend himself from jail.
3 - dual timeline
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
4 - author who is deceased
TBD
5 - published by Penguin
Classified as Murder #2 by Miranda James
6 - character with same name as male family member
TBD
7 - author with only 1 published book
The Trap by Melanie Raabe
8 - book from the 900s of the Dewey Decimal System
Frozen in Time by Chad Zuckoff
Nonfiction in two timelines, 1942 when several military planes crash in Greenland and the rescue attempts, and 2012 and the expedition to find the lost planes and remains.
9 - set in Mediterranean country
TBD
10 - related to the word 'fire'
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, 320 pages
#ownvoices story of a teen half white, half Ojibwe as she struggles to fit in and when there's a death in the Native community, she gets drawn into the investigation
11 - book with discussion questions inside
TBD
12 - title starting with 'D'
Down the River Unto the Sea by Walter Moseley (award winner)
13 - includes an exotic animal
Beloved Beasts by Michelle Nijhous, 352 pages
14 - written by an author over 65 (when published)
My Life to Live by Agnes Nixon; 266 pages
15 - book mentioned in another book
TBD
16 - set before the 17th century
The Last Duel by Eric Jager
17 - character "on the run"
TBD
18 - author with 9 letter last name
City of the Lost #1 by Kelley Armstrong
19 - book with a deckled edge
The Huntress by Kate Quinn; 530 pages
Told in two timelines, 1942 and 1950, a trio of Nazi hunters follow the trail of a woman to America.
20 - made into TV series
Fatal Voyage #4 Brennan by Kathy Reichs; 448 pages
21 - book by Kristin Hannah
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
22 - a family saga
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J Ryan Stradal, 349 pages
A multi-generational saga of 3 strong women and how circumstances divide them and reconnect them
23 - an ending that surprises you
TBD
24 - book you think should be read in schools
TBD
25 - book with multiple POV
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley; 320 pages
A group of friends go to a remote Scottish island to celebrate the New Year, murder occurs and we see the circumstances through the eyes of the various guests.
26 - by an author of color
Black Water Rising #1 by Attica Locke, 430 pages
A look at the life of a struggling black lawyer as he faces racism and tries to find justice for his clients.
27 - first chapter ends on an odd number
Fifty Things That Aren't My Fault by Cathy Guisewite; 336 pages
A series of essays by the creator of the Cathy comic strip as she muses about her current stage of life.
28 - includes a historical event you didn't know about
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
29 - featuring the environment
TBD
30 - watch out for dragons!
Nice Dragons Finish Last #1 by Rachel Aaron
31 - shares a similar title to another book
TBD
32 - has a selfish character
TBD
33 - featuring adoption
TBD
34 - book you'd rate 5 stars
Royal Assassin #2 Farseer by Robin Hobb; 675 pages
Fitz returns and gets embroiled in palace politics, falls in love, befriends a wolf, and tries to save his King.
35 - set in country starting with "S"
TBD
36 - a nameless narrator
TBD
37 - educational read
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp; 252 pages
The famous choreographer shares her insights on maintaining a creative lifestyle with lots of personal anecdotes, famous names, and applicable to all endeavors.
38 - recommended on Book Bub
Vanishing Half (The) by Brit Bennett
39 - alternative history novel
TBD
40 - found via #bookstagram
Rough Magic by Lara Prior-Palmer
The memoir of a young woman who decides to ride the hardest horse race in the world (1000 km on wild ponies) - The Mongol Derby.
41 - endorsement by famous author on cover
TBD
42 - epistolary
Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher
43 - character with pet cat
Classified as Murder #2 by Miranda James; 294 pages
44 - includes a garden
TBD
45 - coming of age novel
Son of a Trickster #1 by Eden Robinson
46 - winner of National Book Award - any year
Round House (The) by Louise Erdrich
47 - character with a disability
Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig, 256 pages
48 - cover with a woman who is facing away
Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian
49 - a flavor in the title
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
50 - a shoe on the cover
TBD
51 - published in 2021
The Gilded Ones #1 by Namina Forna
A young woman is taken from her small village and becomes part of the King's exclusive all female army. YA Fantasy
52 - redo any of the previous categories
TBD