Alicia’s Comments (group member since Dec 25, 2019)

Alicia’s comments from the Around the Year in 52 Books group.

Now, I'm going to read Moby Dick as part of my reading challenge next year. You've all convinced me!

For colonies, are we talking about past or current colonies? Also, I think most are islands. Is this a little too similar to the set on an island prompt?

It's not that it can't be about people, but shouldn't be only one specific person's story or experience. I'm including essay collections on a common theme, books about events, books about a group of people/team/association (i.e. The IRA, even if Gerry Addams is a big part of the IRA), books about single subjects (i.e. democracy in bee colonies).

I think it can be interpreted broadly, and some may be KIS options for others not as interested in the prompt.

I think groups of people would be fine. I wouldn’t consider that to be a biography. In a situation where you go find it talks predominantly about one person, maybe put something in the comments.

That’s what I’ll do for Stranger in the Woods. I personally don’t think of it as a biography, but instead a book about being a hermit and solitary life. I know there are others that may disagree, so when I add it I’m going to write a note for people. I figure it can be a KIS option for some.

Chrissy you added Snape: A Definitive Reading to the list and I thank you deeply! Snape has ALWAYS been my favorite character and I regularly argue about how misunderstood he is. This is definitely going to be my choice for non-fiction!!

I like the idea, but I think Netflix may be too limiting as not everyone may have a Netflix subscription. I would agree a book related to a TV show may be best.

I thought about this today too. Maybe because it’s been so quiet on the thread for the last 24hrs. I feel like we usually have lots of comments up until the day before the poll closes and Emily gives her 1day warning.

This is my first year, so I can't speak what the trend is, but I actually like to know what people like and don't like about a prompt.

I've never felt like someone was saying anything to be mean or hurtful or demeaning. But since there are so few prompts that make it through each round, I think the explanation of what people like and don't like about prompts, how they are interpreting certain words, and what they would prefer helps when people want to suggest new or previous prompts.

For example, if second chances doesn't make it this round, now people will have more insight into how the broader group feels. Or I was glad that last round, someone pointed out that my wording of "non-binary/trans" actually ended up excluding a group I wanted included. So now when I submit it again in a couple rounds, I'll have it more perfected.

I think it's a good way to get feedback, because if people only said really positive things then when prompts end up in the bottom, people may not know why.

Ended up upvoting 5 prompts: second chance (whichever version it may be), YA, non-fiction, 1921, and ensemble.

Then downvoted First Novel Prize (I looked through a few years and there wasn't anything I wanted to read or have read), natural world, and number in the title. PopSugar has a prompt where a book has to have 20 or twenty (or twenty-__) in it and I absolutely hate that prompt. I'm forced to read something next week that I don't want to just so I can satisfy it. This prompt is just too close to home in a bad way right now.

I'm a bit confused about the second chances debate and the prompt listed.

Looking back at the Suggestion thread, wasn't the prompt that was seconded, Rachel's prompt which was just "A book that deals with second chances".

It looks like Becky, in comment 41, seconded this version and not the postponement and redo one. So why is that one in the voting?

dalex wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Here's some other non-fiction (but not biography/memoir) books that I've really enjoyed, even though I'm a mainly fiction reader."

Thank you for mentioning [book:The Stranger in the..."

Some may disagree, and he does talk about this one specific person, Knight. But it's not what I would consider a biography. He adds in conversations/letters with Knight and his family and things that he did to survive, but I felt like a lot of it is speculation based on conversations. Not a detailed accounting of Knight's actual life. I read the book as more of a homage to a less complicated, device-free life and a story of how one can truly disconnect from the world if they so choose.

Here's some other non-fiction (but not biography/memoir) books that I've really enjoyed, even though I'm a mainly fiction reader

Most of Roxane Gay's books, because she's just a fantastic writer, but specifically: Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture (unfortunately I feel like every woman on this site can relate to an essay in this book) and Bad Feminist

You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance and Living Your Purpose which was a fun astrology book and she has a free site where you can get your exact astrology stars to prep you for the book.

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland a very narrative and gripping intro into the IRA. If you want to get more in depth understanding of the IRA, I recommend A Secret History of the IRA: Gerry Adams and the Thirty Year War

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup about Theranos, but really brought me back to a horrible startup that I actually worked at that was eerily similar.

This is a dark topic, but as our world continues to see a rise in suicides, I thought this was a really excellent book on the psychology behind it Suicidal: Why We Kill Ourselves

Some other randoms: The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, Modern Romance

Bec wrote: "Katie wrote: "I am feeling frustrated with how quickly the suggestion polls are filling up. I find that it's really difficult for me, and I don't know about other people, to get online during the 3..."

Shouldn't the ones in the evening in the US, be during the day in Australia?

I think it's tough because our mods are all based in the US. But them switching when they post (morning, afternoon or evening in the US) should allow for all regions to be awake for at least some of the rounds, right?

I'm very indifferent about this list of prompts. Not a lot I love and immediately think upvote, but none that I want to downvote either.

I'll definitely vote for 1921, I wanted a version of this prompt to show up.

I'll also vote for non-fiction. I like non-fiction (biographies and narratives). I found ways to fit mine in this year, but understand that it can be tough and feel bad that there are a lot of non-fiction lovers that aren't able to do that.

I'm going to resubmit my "a book with a non-binary/trans/+ author or character".

This is my first year with voting. Emily mentioned it was VERY close all. As for strategy, if there is any such thing, should I submit it in this next round (aka tomorrow)? Or wait for a couple more rounds?

Oh thank you both! I'm newly obsessed with this show (Season 2 is good too) and this will be my first graphic novel. So I want to make sure I can fit it in next year.

I know it can also go under magic, but I'm trying to save that one. I also love magic books, so I want to think of a BIO option that will push me a little further on that one.

Don't know if anyone has watched Umbrella Academy on Netflix (if not, it is very weird but also very good). But the characters/kids were originally named #1, #2,...#7.

So I'm thinking of reading The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 1: The Apocalypse Suite for the deck of cards. Does that seem like it would fit or is it too much of a stretch from the original intent?

I upvoted all the top, so I’m excited.

For the “book with a non-binary/trans/+ character or author” prompt, I’m glad people want it resubmitted. Should I resubmit it as is, or does anyone have suggestions on how to reword it.

Rachel wrote: "Sorry to double-post, but I thought I'd share this (although I don't know if it's of any interest to anyone else).

I have a Word document on my computer with the rejects prompts from each year. I'..."

I wonder if this means that there is less agreement as the community grows and therefore needs to be more rounds to fill all 52 slots.

When you look at 2016, almost 1 in 3 suggestions are chosen. Compared to some our polls with 15 options and only 1 getting in.

Robin P wrote: "I really like Jane Harper also. I have read The Dry and The Lost Man, which is not about Aaron Falk. I heard that Force of Nature wasn't as good, but since you liked it, I will give it a try. Harpe..."

I actually liked Force of Nature better than The Lost Man. But I found I had zero care for Cameron and whatever happened to him, so the plot fell a little flat for me in The Lost Man.

Force of Nature is more similar in writing style to The Dry with changing time periods. I highly recommend!