Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

When I'm putting together my list of books for any of my challenges, I find the lists of suggestions or threads where people share their choices such a huge help. I've been looking around the threads here, and I haven't yet seen anything for help with the rejects challenge prompts. I know that this isn't a challenge that everyone is doing, but I thought it might be nice to have a place to try and help each other out.

Here's some of the prompts that I'm having the most trouble with, and I would love if someone could give me some suggestions.

- A book with a day of the week in the title -- The only thing I could find is Tuesdays with Morrie, and I've already read that.
- A book that raises your heart rate (any genre)
- An alternative history book
- A non-fiction book on math/science/engineering/social economics/business
- An author with your initials -- My initials are RA. When this prompt came up in PopSugar 2015, I used Mr. Popper's Penguins. I also considered Watership Down, but I'm not sure how much I really want to read that.

Does anyone else have any prompts they are really stuck on?

For the Days of the Week, have you checked out this list?
Days of the Week in the Title

By alternative history do you mean alternate history? This list looks very interesting:

Best Alternate History Novels and Stories

Thanks for the links, Amy! I found a couple of good options for the days of the week one. Still thinking about what to pick for the alternate history one. I've actually never really heard of alternate history before seeing it on the list of prompts.

Some thoughts on the author prompt:

I've read The Wednesday Wars. It's a middle grade book, which I don't usually love, but it's really funny.

Any ideas for a book that raises your heart rate? I'm not even sure what that means, to be honest. I would assume something scary?

I think it could mean different things for different people. Some people might get excited (raised heart rate) by a thriller, others by a horror, some by a steamy romance. What gets you excited personally?

Raising your heart rate could mean anger or desire too. So a romance novel or one from a point of view you disagree with could work. I was also having difficulty with the days of the week prompt.

I am having problems with a redundant phrase prompt. So far I have just started scan the shelves at my local library with no luck.

Anastasia wrote: "I am having problems with a redundant phrase prompt. So far I have just started scan the shelves at my local library with no luck."

I read for that.

Anastasia wrote: "I am having problems with a redundant phrase prompt. So far I have just started scan the shelves at my local library with no luck."

How about Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter or Will Grayson, Will Grayson? I haven't read either of those yet, but I've heard they are both very good.

Another one that I'm struggling with -- what makes a book have an existentialist theme? Short of reading actually existential philosophy, I'm having trouble.

What about a book written for adults that you would read to a child?

Rachel, some classics were written for adults but we class them as children's books now. You could also try a small book of poetry. They are written with adults in mind, but again can be read with children.

Anastasia wrote: "Rachel, some classics were written for adults but we class them as children's books now. You could also try a small book of poetry. They are written with adults in mind, but again can be read with ..."

I had a few classics in mind, but the problem is I've already read many of the ones that I would read to a child (ie. Peter Pan, Tom Sawyer, The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, etc). I'm not a big fan of poetry, but I'll consider it if I can't find anything else.

Rachel wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "Rachel, some classics were written for adults but we class them as children's books now. You could also try a small book of poetry. They are written with adults in mind, but again..."

There was a book I read a few years ago about the true meaning of children's nursery rhymes. That might fit the topic. I can't remember the name of the specific book that I read but I think that there are others like it around if that is something you would be interested in.

I picked Neil Gaiman's speech book for the 'would read to a child' prompt. I think kids could learn a bit more about thinking ahead even when they don't have a plan in military fashion for the next decade. Critical thinking is undervalued in my opinion.

Aglaea wrote: "I picked Neil Gaiman's speech book for the 'would read to a child' prompt. I think kids could learn a bit more about thinking ahead even when they don't have a plan in military fashion for the next..."

I don't know the book but the idea is great. My son was in a special advanced group in school focused on critical thinking. It made me sad that it took a special class to teach that. Every child should be taught those skills from day 1.

Does anyone know of any books that are about a person who works with kids/teens/adults with special needs? Or even a special education teacher?

I'm very stuck on the PopSugar prompt for "a book with a protagonist who shares your occupation." I thought of Challenged: A Tribute: One Man's True Story of Caring For, Laughing with and Learning from People with Special Needs, but the library is taking forever to get it. The next closest thing I can think of is The Miracle Worker, but it seems like a bit of a stretch.

Consider The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Jean wrote: "Consider The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"

I've already read that, and I would say it is more about the young adult than about someone working with him. But thanks...it's a hard occupation to find in books. A few people have suggested Torey Hayden's books to me, but I don't think they are a close enough fit.

This may not be what you're looking for, Rachel. This is a list of books, some by the disabled, some about caregivers. Most of the caregivers look to be family members, but not all.



There's also Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.

Katie wrote: "This may not be what you're looking for, Rachel. This is a list of books, some by the disabled, some about caregivers. Most of the caregivers look to be family members, but not all.

..."

I'd noticed that many of the caregivers seemed to be family members, and I guess I could go in that direction as well. I was specifically looking for a professional working with the person, but if I'm really stuck maybe a family member would be close enough. I did find one book that seemed to fit, but my library doesn't have it either. I've already read (and loved) Me Before You.

Here's a memoir about a special education teacher:

A Smile as Big as the Moon: A Special Education Teacher, His Class, and Their Inspiring Journey Through U.S. Space Camp by Mike Kersjes

The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving looked like the one from that list about a non family caregiver, though he didn't exactly look like a professional.

Never A Dull Moment: A Teacher's Memoir of Her Very Special Students
by Teresa Holmgren

This is a hard category! I struggled with finding a book for my occupation as well. Good luck.

Does anyone know any authors who were born in 1989?

You-Tube star Tyler Oakley was born in 1989 and has written an autobiography/memoir called Binge .

Gymnast Nastia Liukin wrote

Catherine Banner is a British author who wrote The House at the Edge of Night

Other names I ran into - mostly fantasy authors - are:
Anna Todd
Kate Bloomfield
Ben Sanders

I'll send more if I find some.

I may have asked this already, but can someone explain what a "metaphysical theme" is? I took philosophy classes years ago, but I remember very little of them. And the lists that I'm finding of suggestions aren't really helping much. They give me a few books to think about, but I was hoping for more of a definition so I can find books on my own.

And Kathy, thanks for your suggestions! I'll take a look at those.

I am doing a mini rejects challenge with just the character prompts. I am down to two. One I am having a horrible time with and that is: A book where you share your name (first, middle, last, or maiden name) with the main character.

I have a very common name (first middle and last) but finding a book that interests me with a main character with such a plain name is super hard. My Maiden name just won't happen so I'm not even trying that. Any thoughts for characters with Amy, Lynn or Brown names?

Little Women and sequels? I can't think of others with these names.

If you don't mind something geared for much younger readers, there's always the Encyclopedia Brown books.

I would second Zaz's suggestion of Little Women though. It's a much better book.

Amy, my last name is Brown too, and I thought it would be do easy to find a book with that name, but I haven't either.

I'm on my phone so I can't check your shelves easily but there's always Gone Girl if you actually haven't read it yet ;)

Zazz - I have read the Little Women books; twice actually. :-)

Laura - I read Gone Girl last year. I do remember thinking how weird it was to keep reading my own name over and over lol

Rachel - It may come down to Encyclopedia Brown before I am done!

Amy wrote: "Zazz - I have read the Little Women books; twice actually. :-)

Laura - I read Gone Girl last year. I do remember thinking how weird it was to keep reading my own name over and over lol

Rachel - I..."

What about Amy & Roger's Epic Detour? I haven't read it yet, but I've heard it's pretty good.

Amy wrote: "I am doing a mini rejects challenge with just the character prompts. I am down to two. One I am having a horrible time with and that is: A book where you share your name (first, middle, last, or ma..."

There is actually a list in GR with your name! :)
/list/show/8...

Can someone explain "metaphysical theme" to me? It's one of a few prompts that I'm really struggling with. I think I get what it means, but I'm not 100% sure.

Silvia wrote: "Amy wrote: "I am doing a mini rejects challenge with just the character prompts. I am down to two. One I am having a horrible time with and that is: A book where you share your name (first, middle,..."

Yes, I actually saw that. Everything that isn't a romance, I have read. Apparently Amy is a super romantic name. My husband might beg to differ on that! lol

I got it! I completely forgot about the Doctor Who books. Amy and Rory are my FAVORITE companions! I ordered this book to add to my already growing collection of Doctor books:

Doctor Who: Touched By An Angel

Mission accomplished!

How could I not think about Amy Pond, I love her so much! Can't wait to see what you think of the book ;)

Sophie wrote: "How could I not think about Amy Pond, I love her so much! Can't wait to see what you think of the book ;)"

It shipped out today. No idea how long it will take to get here but I hope it's 2-3 days regular mail and not 20+ days media mail. Fingers crossed!

Rachel wrote: "Can someone explain "metaphysical theme" to me? It's one of a few prompts that I'm really struggling with. I think I get what it means, but I'm not 100% sure."

Honestly, I have looked at all the lists of Metaphysical/Visionary books and I don't think anyone really knows what it means.

What I think it means is a book that follows a person's mental journey to discover themselves and a greater meaning in life (which apparently can be a higher paranormal power if you are reading fiction.) It's about spirituality and a deep inner transformation and enlightenment above and beyond any organized religion (probably more in spite of organized religion truthfully.)

Now, how to find a book like that.....difficult. It's usually something I stumble upon more than something I recognize from a title or book description. Have you tried this list?

/list/show/1...

Amy wrote: "I got it! I completely forgot about the Doctor Who books. Amy and Rory are my FAVORITE companions! I ordered this book to add to my already growing collection of Doctor books:

[book:Doctor Who: To..."
I would be interested to hear what you think about this book. I'm a Doctor Who fan. I have to admit that it was my daughters who discovered the series in the first place, and introduced it to me- when a show aired, Sarah would disappear for an hour to watch it live stream (or whatever) and then we watched it together a couple of days later. She even wrote her bachelor's thesis about Doctor Who.

Amy wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Can someone explain "metaphysical theme" to me? It's one of a few prompts that I'm really struggling with. I think I get what it means, but I'm not 100% sure."

Honestly, I have look..."

I saw the list and there were a couple of books that interested me (The Velveteen Rabbit, for example), but I wasn't sure how they were metaphysical.

Maybe thinking about it in metaphysical sense as you read it now it will make sense. I am sure as children we werent thinking of it in that deep way. Now it would be different, maybe?

Jonathan Livingston Seagull is on the list. Have you read that? I remember being very moved by it.

Amy wrote: "Maybe thinking about it in metaphysical sense as you read it now it will make sense. I am sure as children we werent thinking of it in that deep way. Now it would be different, maybe?

Jonathan Liv..."

I actually never read The Velveteen Rabbit, so I'd probably pick that whether I can see why it's metaphysical or not. I haven't read Jonathan Livingston Seagull either, so I'll look into that.

Rachel wrote: "Amy wrote: "Maybe thinking about it in metaphysical sense as you read it now it will make sense. I am sure as children we werent thinking of it in that deep way. Now it would be different, maybe?

..."

Seagull absolutely fits the challenge. Velveteen Rabbit I am not so sure about but it would be interesting to read it and see if you can understand why it was voted onto the list. Then you can come bavk and explain it to us! :-)

Does anyone know what QuickReads is? There's a prompt from last year about a Quick Reads book published within the past 2 years. I vaguely remember seeing something in a thread some time ago that Quick Reads is a very specific website, but I can't seem to find it anymore. The one page I found doesn't seem to give me any access to the books...so I'm a bit lost.

Rachel wrote: "Does anyone know what QuickReads is? There's a prompt from last year about a Quick Reads book published within the past 2 years. I vaguely remember seeing something in a thread some time ago that Q..."

Hm, the only thing I can find is this:



Do you remember, even vaguely what reading list it was part of?