21. A book from one of the polarizing or close call votes

[Rose]

Close call or polarizing prompt was a choice off the Texas Library Lariat List.
Sourdough by Robin Sloan

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I went with a book related to a cultural appreciation month, which I voted for in the polls. I had intended to read an LGBT book in June, as that is the month for that, but I got a bit ahead on my reading in order, so I figured the end of May was close enough.

I read Adam Silvera's History Is All You Left Me. It was good, but not my favorite by him.

I have a whole rejects challenge going on so there are quite a few prompts I was interested in. I thought about slotting in up-lit or the obscure holiday in for this prompt as well, but ended up going an easier route.

[Joan]

- What are you reading for this category? Becoming
- What topic did you choose? Was it one you voted for during the polls? I chose a book relating to a National Capital City. I don't think I voted for it. It was from Poll #14
- What were some of your other favorite topics that didn't make the final list? A dark fairy tale

[Chrissy]

I ended up going with up lit, but the book I read was less uplifting than I expected: Lost For Words.

[Brittany]

- What are you reading for this category?
Internment
- What topic did you choose? Was it one you voted for during the polls?
A book in which faith/religion pays an integral role in the plot or the life of the main character. It's not one that I had voted for, I think I actually might have originally put it in as a bottom four.
- What were some of your other favorite topics that didn't make the final list?
I liked the recommended by a podcast, bog or vlog because I listen to a lot of podcasts.

[Ellie]

Brittany wrote: "A book in which faith/religion pays an integral role in the plot or the life of the main character. It's not one that I had voted for, I think I actually might have originally put it in as a bottom four..."

I went for this one and I have a feeling I downvoted it too. I definitely didn't vote for it at the time.

I read This Green and Pleasant Land by Ayisha Malik, about someone honoring their mother's dying wish to build a mosque in their English village.

[Sara]

- What are you reading for this category?
Corrag
- What topic did you choose? Was it one you voted for during the polls?
The ATY list of lesser known books. I'm not sure if I voted when this one was up. I did not vote until half-way through the year.

[SadieReadsAgain]

What are you reading for this category?
Chronicles: Volume One, by Bob Dylan
What topic did you choose? Was it one you voted for during the polls? "linked to one of your favourite songs/artists" though I didn't vote in the polls as I wasn't aware of this challenge at that point. Hoping to get involved in the voting this year though!

Review
I feel bad for giving only two stars to the man who was the beloved soundtrack to my childhood. Though after learning that there is a strong case against him for plagiarism in this book, I don't feel quite so stingy. Because although I've read a whole book about him, I don't feel I know Bob Dylan any better than when I started reading. Maybe if he had been more original with his writing, I'd have seen the real Bob more closely. But actually, I think my disappointment with this book runs deeper than that. I read this expecting more of a personal memoir, but it really is a portrait of the craft of being a musician. Dylan keeps the reader at arm's length, which is understandable given his deep unease with fame and privacy invasion. He focuses on his art, and his discussion of other artists is honest and interesting, showing a true passion for folk and music. But I felt there could have been more of Dylan the person in here, even within the boundaries of keeping the private life private. Without that, the whole thing felt a bit cold and pointless to me. I still love his music though, probably more now I know how much it means to him.

[Karissa]

What are you reading for this category? The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
What topic did you choose? A close call vote - a character using a false identity.

[Emily]

What are you reading for this category?

Dear Mrs. Bird


What topic did you choose? Was it one you voted for during the polls?

A book from the Texas Library Lariat List; I don't remember if I voted for it.


What were some of your other favorite topics that didn't make the final list?

It's been so long since I looked at the list I don't remember. I picked this prompt out several months ago!

[Anastasia]

My book club was reading The Boat People during this week, so a book read as a group worked well for this.

I picked the prompt after the book leaving my options open for this week.

[Stacey]

dalex wrote: "I had every intention of using the ATY List for this prompt but, alas, the book I had chosen to use was a DNF. I rarely DNF but I got to about page 150 and just absolutely could not continue.

So i..."

*Face turns bright red* Yikes! So sorry you hated this book, Dalex. I found it very unique and interesting, but I could see how it's not for everyone. Glad your next read proved wholly enjoyable :))

[Stacey]

I'm reading Far Afield by Susanna Kaysen (author of Girl, Interrupted). The book came highly recommended for the ATY Lesser Known Recommendations list by fellow reader/ATY'er Kathy.

There were so many juicy sounding books to choose from that list, which I also added to my TBR. I love keeping an open mind to the unique and different - reading the same type of books all the time, or the same themes or only one gender of author is just waaay too boring.

[Evelyn]

- What are you reading for this category?'
When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago

- What topic did you choose? Was it one you voted for during the polls?
I choose a book by an author from an island and I am not sure if I voted for it because it was the first poll.

- What were some of your other favorite topics that didn't make the final list?
Fiction or non-fiction about the climate and/or climate change

[Angie]

- What are you reading for this category?
Prayers for Rain

- What topic did you choose? Was it one you voted for during the polls?
The first book on your TBR, sorted by whichever criteria you choose, and I don't know if I voted for it or not.

- What were some of your other favorite topics that didn't make the final list?
A book about or inspired by a legend, such as King Arthur or Atlantis
The winner or nominee for a literary prize in a country other than your own
A book of short stories, essays, or poems
Etc.

[Matthias]

- What are you reading for this category?
I read The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard
- What topic did you choose? Was it one you voted for during the polls?
I chose 'A book featuring a disaster'. I think I voted for it (but that was so long ago now).
- What were some of your other favorite topics that didn't make the final list?
So many topics I liked, they were not all bound to make the list.

[Shelley]

Read Hild

Found on the listing of ATY Recommendations for Lesser Known Books.

I'm doing the rejects list so I'm doing alllll the prompts.

[Jen]

Brave New World Revisited Totally fascinating. 4* just because it is a little out of date but the predictions were so close.

[Andrea]

The polarizing task that I selected was A book in which faith/religion plays an integral role in the plot or the life of a main character. In order to complete it, I read The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. I suspect that I would not have voted for or against this prompt, but my recollection is rather hazy as so many months have passed.
Originally, the "zodiac sign" task caught my eye, for I have yet to read The Tropic of Cancer," but how could I pass up the opportunity to fulfill a task by reading the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale!

[Anne]

I am reading a book in which faith/religion plays an integral role in the plot or the life of a main character. Poll 6 polarising vote. for this I am reading 'Do Lord remember Me' by Julius Lester.

[Jill]

What are you reading for this category?
I read The Little World of Don Camillo by Giovannino Guareschi

What topic did you choose? Was it one you voted for during the polls? A book set in a small town/village. I don't remember if I voted for it

What were some of your other favorite topics that didn't make the final list?
I liked a lot that didn't make it to the list. Too many to list here

[Sarah]

I used poll number 7
A book in which a character uses a disguise or a false/fake identity

I read Strong Female Protagonist. Book One by Brennan Lee Mulligan.

I was hoping it would be appropriate for my daughter but it's a little too "sweary". Otherwise a very good read and i will be hitting the comic book store for the second one soon.

[Ashley]

I read Dracula. This fit for a book that is sad, depressing, devastating, or dark.

[Angela]

What are you reading for this category?
Freedom, by Jonathon Franzen



What topic did you choose? Was it one you voted for during the polls?
I chose ‘A book linked to one of your favourite artists or songs’, the song being Freedom 90 by George Michael.

I didn’t vote last year, unfortunately.

What were some of your other favorite topics that didn't make the final list?
Too many to list, but I was quite taken with the ‘2 books from 2 different sides of an issue/perspective event