Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

June
1. National Ballpoint Pen Day
June 10th, the anniversary of the patent filing. Fun fact: the world's most popular ball point is the Bic Crystal, which sells on average 57 pens per second.
a. A book with a writing utensil on the cover
b. A book written under a pen name Along the Saltwise Sea by A. Deborah Baker (6/9)
c. A book about a writer, bookseller, or librarian By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult (6/6)

2. National Prune Day
June 15th. Fun fact: prunes, the dried version of plums, were originally from China.
a. A book written by someone over the age of 60 Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See (7/23)
b. A book with more than 400 pages The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter (6/14)
c. A book with purple on the cover The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth (7/4)

3. Let's Catch a Movie
The term 'blockbuster' was originally used to describe especially destructive bombs, and then came to mean shocking news stories. It's current use as a movie with huge box office returns is often attributed to producer Max Youngstein
a. Author's initials can be found in BLOCKBUSTER FILM A Winter Wish by Emily Stone (6/26)
b. A book that has been adapted into a movie or series The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje (7/15)
c. A book published in the last two years Jackie by Dawn Tripp(6/15)

4. Happy Birthday Paul Gauguin
Born on June 7th 1848 Gauguin was a French artist most known for his contributions to the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements. He lived in France, Peru, Martinique, Tahiti, and the Marquesas Islands.
a. A book with at least 4 colors on the cover The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton (7/26)
b. A translated book The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki (6/7)
c. A book with a seven in the page count The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline (7/17)


July
1. Happy Birthday Satchel Paige
Baseball pitcher Leroy R. (Satchel) Paige (1906-1982) was the first African American pitcher in the American League. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.
a. A book whose author's initials appear in CURVEBALL
b. A book featuring a sport
c. A book with a black main character The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict (7/8)

2. The Apollo Moon Landing
Apollo 11, the first manned landing on Earth's moon, touched down on the surface on July 20, 1969.
a. A book set in space Only Good Enemies by Jennifer Estep (6/28)
b. A book with the moon on the cover Those Fatal Flowers by Shannon Ives (8/7)
c. A book published in the 1960s

3. Let's Go on a Hike
Fun fact: Yellowstone National Park averages 1 bear attack per year, and there have only been 8 bear-caused fatalities in park history. For perspective that is 1 bear attack per 26.2 million park visits.
a. A book with a cover of a nature scene without people The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks (6/30)
b. A book set in a rural area I'll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong (6/19)
c. A book with an element of survival- A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams (6/2) End features the great New England Hurricane of 1938.

4. Dog Days of Summer
Fun fact: this phrase refers to the time when Sirius the dog star is visible in the sky.
a. A book with a dog on the cover X Marks the Scot by Kaitlyn Dunnett (6/8)
b. A book with a hot setting Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack (7/20) Set in Rome, Italy in July
c. An author's first book Casket Case by Lauren Evans (7/1)


August
1. The Destruction of Pompeii
Pompeii was a Roman city that was buried under volcanic ash and pumice during the eruption of Mt Vesuvius on August 24, 79 CE. Because of the particular method of its destruction it is extremely well preserved and offers a unique look at life in the ancient Roman Empire.
a. A book featuring an ancient civilization The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper (7/11)
b. A book with red on the cover Lucy Undying by Kiersten White (6/29)
c. A book set in a city The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper(7/22) Pompeii

2. Vacation Time
Fun fact: 60% of the Earth's lakes are located in Canada. Something to think about next time you're by a lake.
a. A book you've been meaning to read The Good Part by Sophie Cousens (7/9)
b. A book by a favorite author Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs (7/13)
c. A book set somewhere you would like to visit The House with the Golden Door by Elodie Harper (7/20) Pompeii

3. Let's Play a Game
Fun fact: In Chile the Clue character Mr. Green is named Chef Lettuce.
a. A book with multiple points of view Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (6/24)
b. A book by an author whose initials appear in SCRABBLE The Only One Left by Riley Sager (7/20)
c. A book in a series Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones (6/16)

4. Back to School Sales
Fun fact: in 2023 the average American household spent $890 on back to school shopping, according to an online survey. Ok, that one's not actually that fun.
a. A book borrowed from the library Funny Story by Emily Henry (7/2)
b. A nonfiction book The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown (7/28)
c. A book with a character in an educational setting