Okay, bibliophiles, September is upon us, and you know what that means… The 52 Book Club polls are officially open, and we’ll be spending the next four weeks voting on prompts for our 2026 Challenge!
Each year, we invite you to help us pick prompts for next year’s challenge, and it is once again time to cast your ballot. Vote on our week one poll now, and don’t forget to check back next week for another prompt!
How it works:
1. On Mondays in September, watch for a new poll. (Sign up for e-mails so you don’t miss the results or new polls!) Each week, we’ll be voting on a different prompt.
2. Vote for your favourite option. Pick the option you’d most like to see on the 2026 challenge. Each week, you have up to three chances to vote. Once in the Facebook group, once in the Goodreads group, and once on Instagram. You can vote as strategically as you’d like — voting for the same option three times or voting for a different option on each.
3. Once the poll closes, total votes will be tallied across all three platforms (Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.) Each weekly poll will be open from Monday until Sunday, closing at 9 p.m. PT. The TOP TWO picks for each week will be named finalists and entered into the final running for the 2026 challenge.
4. The winning prompts will be randomly drawn from each of our two weekly finalists. Winners will be announced each week, so keep an eye on your e-mails. The four winning prompts will appear on the 2026 challenge.
WEEK ONE VOTE:
Week one voting period:
Monday, September 1, 2025 until Sunday, September 7, 2025
Prompt: Related to the word…
For this first week, we’re voting on the prompt, “Related to the word…” Below you’ll find ten different (and very unique) words to choose from. (Don’t worry, we’ve included some quick definitions to help!)
For this prompt, you’ll choose a book that is somehow associated with or related to the winning word. The word can be connected to the title, cover design, theme, plot, characters, author, etc. Regardless of which word wins, this prompt will be an opportunity to get creative!
When deciding which word to vote for, feel free to take your time to research books that may fit the different options. You have until Sunday, September 7 to cast your vote! (Remember, each week you can vote up to three times: once on Facebook, once on Goodreads, and once on Instagram.)
1) Nemesis
Definition: An opponent or rival that is difficult to defeat; an archenemy. It can also represent a force or event that brings about someone’s downfall or ruin. In mythology, Nemesis is the Greek goddess of divine retribution.
2) Sesquipedalian
Definition: Having many syllables. A long word or a sentence containing many long words. Can also be used to describe someone or something that overuses big words.
3) Whimsical
Definition: Quaint or fanciful; unusual in a playful or amusing way. Someone characterized by whims or given to fanciful notions.
4) Perspicacious
Definition: Keen, astute. Someone with the power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden. Quick in judging things accurately. An ability to understand things that are not obvious.
5) Quixotic
Definition: Foolishly impractical, especially in the pursuit of ideals. Marked by rash, lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action. (Merriam Webster) Having or showing ideas that are unusual, hopeful, or romantic but not practical or likely to succeed.
6) Odyssey
Definition: An odyssey is any long, complicated journey, often a quest for a goal, and may be a spiritual or psychological journey as well as an actual voyage. (Merriam-Webster)
7) Maleficent
Definition: Causing or capable of producing evil or mischief; harmful or baleful (Collins Dictionary). May or may not be by supernatural means.
8) Serendipity
Definition: The fact of finding interesting or valuable things by chance (Cambridge Dictionary). An unplanned, fortunate discovery. Luck in finding or discovering something by chance.
9) Anthophile
Definition: A person who has a deep love and appreciation for flowers.
10) Stellar
Definition: Of or related to the stars; celestial. It could also refer to something of exceptional quality.
Week One Voting Links
NOTE: Votes must be cast on Facebook, Goodreads, or Instagram. Each week you can vote up to three times (once on Facebook, once on Instagram, once on Goodreads.) This poll closes on Sunday, September 7th at 9pm PT. Comments left on this blog post will not count toward final count.