[2019] Voting for 7th Mini-Poll

[Tammy]

The Bildungsroman was my favorite prompt. I also tapped the Asian author, the satire, and the zodiac characters. I have little hope that any of these will survive the cut, but I did what I could!

[Sophie]

Here is a list of GR lists based on personality type books according to some Myers Briggs types.

https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=my...

[dalex]

Sophie wrote: "Here is a list of GR lists based on personality type books according to some Myers Briggs types.."

That list is not actually based on the personality types of the characters, which is what the prompt is. The paragraph at the top of the list states, "Don't simply vote for books that you perceive as being INFJ-style books. Instead, if you are an INFJ, simply use this list to vote for your favourite books, whatever they may be."

[Nicole]

I agree with what Sophie said about it being like a fun present to open when you haven't been able to follow along with the suggestion process, and then you check in & the list is ready to be voted on. It's all a big surprise!

I did have a few that jumped right out at me as "NOPE," but a couple others that jumped out right away as "YES!" After I looked through them all and looked at lists provided in the suggestions thread, it was relatively easy to pick a top 4 and bottom 4. Can't wait to see the results on Friday!

[Hilde]

Tammy wrote: "The Bildungsroman was my favorite prompt. I also tapped the Asian author, the satire, and the zodiac characters. I have little hope that any of these will survive the cut, but I did what I could!"

Mine as well! Some of my favourite books are from this genre, such as To Kill a Mockingbird and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I suggested it last year, but then with the term 'coming-of-age', but it didn't make it. Hope it makes it this year with the new wording 😊🤞🏻I also mostly think of classics here, and not so much YA, though I guess that will certainly fit as well.

[Pam]

I’m glad to see so many people supporting the Bildungsroman prompt, especially now that the term is better understood! I also voted for the satire prompt, even though I’m not that familiar with it. It would push me out of my comfort zone. Can’t wait to see the results so I can do some more planning! 😀

[Bec]

I found this tough as I didn't actually have any that stood out as either yes's or no's. I ended up voting yes for a light and heavy book - gives me a chance to get to some of the longer/heavier stuff, book recommended by Bill gates (was researching to see if I would put it in my no votes or if it won would I live with it, and I found The Rosie Effect and decided that was enough to yes vote it!), author with punctuation in their name as it's easy to fill and bildungsroman - didn't research too much but I enjoy coming of age so there you go.

I no voted book with a character who has the same personality type as you, as this requires me to understand my personality type - no thanks, work of social/political satire as I don't enjoy any type of satire, walter scott prize for historical fiction as list is too short and far east asian author or set in far east Asian country as seems like too much research required to find a book I want to read.

[dalex]

I decided to hunt down some lists of coming-of-age/bildungsroman books that are not classics or ya.

6 Coming-of-Age Novels for Grownups
10 Essential Coming-Of-Age Novels For Adults
7 Amazing Coming-Of-Age Novels
10 coming-of-age novels for summer
A Reading List on Coming of Age During Wartime

[Hilde]

Thank you, Dalex! Some excellent books on those lists 😊

[dalex]

Hilde wrote: "Thank you, Dalex! Some excellent books on those lists 😊"

You're welcome!

And I came across this list of 100 Must-Read Books: Food in Fiction.

For the food prompt you could also do an author with a name that is a food-related occupation, like Baker or Miller. Or you could do an author whose name is also a brand name, like Campbell. Or you could do something that is related to acquiring food, like a title with "garden" or "hunting."

[Tammy]

I'm curious about the satire prompt. I'm reading one right now and I've noticed that a lot of people tend to dislike satires (I'm basing that on the reviews I'm reading or the comments in this thread). For the most part, I usually find them to be pretty funny, thought provoking, and sometimes deeply disturbing. What is it that is turning people off? I only bring this up because I was thinking about it yesterday as I scrolled through reviews.

[Kathy]

Great ideas for the food prompt, dalex. Thanks. I'll vote for the Bildungsroman next time it comes up.

[Perri]

Good question, Tammy, I find satire somewhat mean spirited and depresssing

[Katie]

I love reading about food, so I'm really excited about that list, dalex. Thanks for sharing it!

[Steve]

Tammy wrote: "I'm curious about the satire prompt. I'm reading one right now and I've noticed that a lot of people tend to dislike satires (I'm basing that on the reviews I'm reading or the comments in this thre..."

I love satire and voted for it. When I was an English teacher, the satire unit was my favorite to teach. I think the problem for many people is that they don’t “get” the satire unless it’s obvious and the obvious satires aren’t always the best reads. I’m hoping it gets selected so I can read some more Christopher Buckley.

[Kathy]

Tammy wrote: "I'm curious about the satire prompt. I'm reading one right now and I've noticed that a lot of people tend to dislike satires (I'm basing that on the reviews I'm reading or the comments in this thre..."

I voted for the satire prompt. I find a well-done satire to be quite entertaining. I guess "well-done" is the key for me.

[Pam]

Tammy- I agree with Steve that many readers don’t get the satire, therefore it’s not that interesting or funny. I have been meaning to read Penguin Island, a political satire by Anatole France FOREVER! I’m reading it in 2019, regardless of the prompts selected.

I also like the food prompt because I want to read Tortilla Curtain! Mmmmm... tortillas!

[dalex]

Tammy wrote: "I'm curious about the satire prompt. What is it that is turning people off?"

I guess I think political satire is kinna like the late night talk shows where they talk about current events in a manner that is supposed to be humorous. I hate those shows with every fiber of my being. I find them to be very annoying and distasteful. I can't explain why, precisely. It's just a matter of personal taste, I suppose.

Also, I have looked at some lists of political satire books. I've never read any, have none on my TBR List, and have zero interest in ever reading any. There's nothing about them that appeals to me or interests me at all.

[Pam]

Yes, that too, Dalex! I’m so unfamiliar with the genre that I don’t have an opinion. I read a few books by British author Jonathan Coe that I believe had some satire. I thought they were great! I would love to find more books like his.

[dalex]

Katie wrote: "I love reading about food, so I'm really excited about that list, dalex. Thanks for sharing it!"

You're welcome!

Pam wrote: "I also like the food prompt because I want to read Tortilla Curtain! Mmmmm... tortillas! "

Because every day should be Taco Tuesday!

[Laura, Celestial Sphere Mod]

I think since I saw the Millenium series on the one list that I had a much more broad idea of satire in my head when I made the suggestion. I was thinking of it more as a critical analysis or judgment of a social system or political structure. Versus just the comical interpetation of satire.

[Steve]

There are plenty of non-political satires out there. A lot of modern ones satirize our addictions to technology like The Circle and, though not a full focus on satire, Ready Player One. Some focus on our obsessions with pop culture like Star Island. A bunch of Carl Hiaasen’s novels are satirical. Christopher Buckley writes some modern political satires like Supreme Courtship and They Eat Puppies, Don't They?, butvalso touches on other topics like religion in Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

[Steve]

Laura wrote: "I think since I saw the Millenium series on the one list that I had a much more broad idea of satire in my head when I made the suggestion. I was thinking of it more as a critical analysis or judgm..."

I just finished ...Dragon Tattoo this week and didn’t think of it as satire. I guess the butts of the satire would be sexual assault and stock market speculators.

[Lizzy]

Pam wrote: "Tammy- I agree with Steve that many readers don’t get the satire, therefore it’s not that interesting or funny. I have been meaning to read Penguin Island, a political satire by Anatole France FORE..."


Tortilla Curtain is one of my all time favorites -- i may have to do a re-read for that prompt!

[Liz]

Jane Austen & David Copperfield wrote social satires as well. I didn't vote for that prompt, but it was very high on my list.

[Bec]

Tammy wrote: "I'm curious about the satire prompt. I'm reading one right now and I've noticed that a lot of people tend to dislike satires (I'm basing that on the reviews I'm reading or the comments in this thre..."

Apparently (according to my husband) I don't have a good sense of humour. So I guess for me it's not my type of humour.

[Sophie]

I didn’t really like the few satyres I read (except Animal Farm) because I felt that the authors put more efforts in the satyre part than the story part. It’s interesting to make a caricature, but the book still has to have an enjoyable story for me to like it ;)

[Tammy]

Thanks to all who gave some insight into the satire question. I particularly found the first answer from Perri to be really interesting and valid in some cases (that they tend to be mean spirited and depressing). Since satires do point out political or societal stupidity, they can be a bit biting. Steve pointed out some modern books that might interest some of the ATY readers and Liz added Jane Austen and Dickens to the mix. I'd add a recommendation for the Man Booker prize winner The Sellout by Paul Beatty. There are tons of books to choose from. Everything from Where'd You Go, Bernadette, Jennifer Government, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and all the way back to Gulliver's Travels is fair game. The prompt might not win, but the topic is very broad and has a lot to offer. It was Twain that I was reading when I was thinking about this.

Steve...how did your students like the satires? What books did you teach?

[Perri]

From this discussion, I've learned maybe I don't like satire with a capital S but do like some books with elements of satire. I adored Where'd You Go, Bernadette, for example. My second year experience has taught me even when with a choice I don't like, there's always SOME book I can read. :)

[dalex]

I've been checking the group for results every hour, on the hour, since I got up at 5 am. :lol: (It will be good when my summer break is over and this challenge isn't consuming so much of my attention!)

[Liz]

Hahaha Dalex, that’s awesome. I just remembered that the results come out today - I’m excited to see them!

[Lizzy]

I'm just getting to my desk at 8:20 and I'm checking too. How funny we are!

[Sofia]

I am at Asia, so here the 10th is almost over. And I checked all day for the results, even went to a worldwide timeline website to check US time so that I could predict what time the results are going to come out...

[Laura, Celestial Sphere Mod]

I have a lovely training today due to the start of the school year. I will be posting them when I return home. Likely at about 4:00pm EST. I might get them up slightly earlier. I understand the anticipation :)

[Rachelnyc]

Thanks for the update Laura!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who came here first thing to check for results!

[dalex]

3:59! Patiently waiting......