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

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

°~Amy~° wrote: "Nitpicking but shouldn't #13 be A book with a monochromatic cover (PRIMARILY one single color)? The examples all show one color cover and a different color of font. If it is 'one single color' the ..."

I was looking at that too and then didn't know if I was understanding the prompt correctly.

I think "primarily" is a good addition.

Shelley wrote: "Ellie wrote: "I will probably vote for the BIPOC one, as it's super easy but I'd like a more interesting diversity prompt in too. Like the retelling was a thoughtful one since the canon is so white..."

I agree with this. I definitely want a BIPOC prompt (as I don't count the race/race relations one as a BIPOC prompt), but I want it to be more challenging. I try to read a lot of BIPOC authors so just adding a different author isn't much of a challenge.

Granted, I also like prompts that are broad enough to have a KIS and BIO option. For this, I don't think there could even be a KIS option because it is so simple as it is.

I'm debating if I should (1) upvote because I want a BIPOC prompt and I don't know if any specific ones will make it through or (2) downvote because if this one gets in another it is unlikely that people will vote for a second.

My prompt suggestion is "A book featuring a theme of women overcoming systemic obstacles"

This could be a non-fiction about the Suffrage Movement and women succeeding in gaining the right to vote, something like The Last Mrs. Parrish about spousal abuse, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires about how men disregarded women's opinions in the south in the 90s, I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban that shouldn't have even been able to get an education, let alone write a book.

Oh I didn't even know about the wildcard option! I would have used that this year if I had known.

I definitely get not liking certain genres, I feel that way about sci-fi. I'm not even at retirement age, but I still feel like I don't want to spend time on a book that I'm not particularly interested in.

I would like a BIPOC prompt, but that isn't as general as BIPOC author or character. I feel like that's just too broad and I like something that seems a bit more narrow. Just not related to a specific genre.

Title: The Dry
Author: Jane Harper
Rating: 5 Stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): eBook
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): Book set in the southern hemisphere
Brief reason why it was the best: I actually had a lot of 5 star reads in June, it was a good month. But I chose Jane Harper because she's become one of my new favorite authors. I read two of her books in June and hope to read her third in July. The Dry starts off the Aaron Falk series. Aaron is with the federal police of Australia and ends up investigating a murder in his hometown. Jane Harper's writing is quick, easy to follow, and gripping throughout. She regularly switches perspectives and time, which I usually hate, but it is so effortless and natural.

Title: Watching You
Author: Lisa Jewell
Rating: 5 Stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Audiobook
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): Book with a silhouette on the cover
Brief reason why it was the best: This book is all about assumptions and perceptions and I guarantee yours will be wrong. It's definitely a "fluffy" thriller, but a very entertaining read that I would recommend to all wishing to scratch that mystery/thriller itch

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Rating: 5 Stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Audiobook by Stephen Fry
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): Book set in a global city
Brief reason why it was the best: I mean....it's Harry Potter. I don't think there is anything I can say that hasn't been said in the almost 4.5 million 5 star reviews. While I had read it before, Amazon had a special to listen to the Stephen Fry audiobook, which is usually only allowed for listeners in the UK (I'm in the USA).

Title: House of Earth and Blood
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Rating: FIVE HUMONGOUS STARS
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
Brief reason why it was the best: I know Sarah J Maas can be polarizing, but I actually think this is her best book yet. While the main characters are very attractive (as in all her books), what really makes this book shine is the wonderful personalities of all the side characters. Of special note is Lehabah who is the greatest sprite/friend and best representation of the House of Sky and Breath

I'm sad about the BIPOC retelling being polarizing, although not surprised. I think if there is a prompt of "pick a topic that wasn't selected" that will be mine.

Molly, for me it wasn't the song and I definitely think it is easier than We Didn't Start the Fire. My issue was with the fact that Don McLean is a domestic abuser and I didn't want to give him a positive platform.

Emily correct me if I’m wrong, but Amy I think she was agreeing with you for prefixes and suffixes being a KIS option.

Nobody while yes it has No- in the beginning is already a negative word in itself. As it means no one or no person at all.

But Knock, despite having a “no” in it, wouldn’t be a KIS option because it goes too far past the prompt which has a focus on negative words. Knock isn’t a negative word.

Thanks Juliet & Emily!

I like the "systematic obstacles". It's a good way of encompassing a broad array of issues. I think that was my struggle, trying to figure out how to put all these issues into one bucket.

So I definitely don't have the wording down (aka any formal wording), but I was thinking a prompt that discusses women overcoming injustices/oppression specifically against women.

This could be a non-fiction about the Suffrage Movement and women succeeding in gaining the right to vote, something like The Last Mrs. Parrish about spousal abuse, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires about how men disregarded women's opinions in the south in the 90s, I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban that shouldn't have even been able to get an education, let alone write a book.

Thoughts? Is it too dark of a topic? I was hoping it would show how strong women are and how we can overcome some of the worst situations.

Thanks Emily! This is my first year voting, and will be my second year doing the challenge. I’m excited to start some of these prompts.

I know it depends on a number of factors, but generally how do the mods decide what is in the top and bottom of the polls(i.e a specific percentage threshold?”)?

I don't mind the initials prompt, but if it gets picked I'll need help from all of you! I don't have a single book on my TBR with the initials AL.

I seconded the BIPOC retelling because it sounds hard, but there are different types of books that meet this. As a BIPOC, I realize that when it comes to reading, people do generally need to put in more work to find books not written by straight or cis white authors. It’s an effort, but it’s worth it. And makes it easier in the future for books like these to get attention and hopefully more publishing opportunities. My dream is one day, this will be an easy topic with too many options that it is boring. =)

For example, here is a link to 23: https://www.tor.com/2020/02/05/23-ret...

This also doesn’t include Cinderella is Dead or the various Hamilton books.

I second a retelling of a classic by a BIPOC author! Love that suggestion.

The results mirrored my votes perfectly. Voted up for the top 4 and the close call “z in the title”. And downvoted the bottom two and tech advancement.

I actually based my bottom vote for the “good thing in 2020” based on the discussion. I felt similar to some above that if someone wasn’t comfortable highlighting positives in a year that has had varying degrees of trauma, I didn’t want to force them. My good is also survival, and that my parents and family have remained safe and healthy. But I know that isn’t the case for everyone.

I like the race relations/racism one. Especially since 2021 represents 100 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre, an especially painful time for many Black Americans.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa_r...

Lauren wrote: "I don't really put stuff on my TBR randomly, so that made this prompt rather tricky for me. What I think I'll do instead is re-read a book that I originally read on a whim ([book:Over Sea, Under St..."

I have the same problem. I'm intentional about my TBR, but also running low on possible ATY topics to choose from. Your idea is a good workaround