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[2020] Voting for 4th Mini Poll
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Jill
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Jul 01, 2019 12:31PM
A book related to a famous/popular game could be the Olympic Games
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I'm really excited about a lot of the prompts in this batch. I don't think I'll vote against any this time!
Katie wrote: "It's now time to get ready to vote for our next set of prompts! But as we discussed before the process began, we are going to open the poll one day after we've gathered 20 suggestions. This is a go..."A book related to a sea creature
A book with water not he cover
A book about betrayal
No A T Y on cover
5 or more words in title
Shari, after this poll is over next week, we will start a Suggestions for 5th Mini Poll thread. You can submit an idea for a prompt at that time. If you subscribe to the introduction thread at the link below, you will get a Goodreads notification when the next suggestion thread is open.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
thanks! I have a whole bunch of jotted down ideas, and just came to see when polls open.
I just happened to stumble across a prize that might work for the "foreign literary prize" prompt if you prefer non-fiction or aren't a big fan of literary fiction or whatever.The RBC Taylor Prize is a Canadian award that "commemorates Charles Taylor’s pursuit of excellence in the field of literary non-fiction."
Can someone please provide some suggestions for a collection of essays. This screams a big no to me, but I'm open to suggestions before I down vote it.
Mod
For fun, here's Book Riot's Must Read essay collections: https://bookriot.com/2018/07/19/must-...
Essays tend to imply nonfiction, while short stories are usually fiction. I actually don't mind this prompt... I don't know if I'll upvote it, but I have some options if it makes it in.
EDIT: A few I have on my TBR...
The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories
So Sad Today: Personal Essays
They are a bit difficult to tell, unless they have the word essays in the subtitle lol. I'll definitely dig deeper into my TBR if this one gets in, but these jumped out as obvious.
For the headlines prompt, I would think any book on the Titanic would work as that made huge headlines and is still talked about to this day with many tv shows and movies. There are very many books on the Titanic. Just a suggestion.https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5...
Mod
But people started talking about using historical events and I don't see any issue with that.
I do think that it should be related to a distinct event, rather than a broad time period.
i.e. 11/22/63, focused on the JFK assassination, rather than a book that's just set in the time period.
I also think it would be something that occurred post news (i.e. able to literally be news in a newspaper) rather than informal "news".
But as always, members can interpret prompts in their own ways. Those were just my intentions with the prompt.
Even after the discussion, I am not feeling excited about any of these prompts. Last list I had a number of prompts I really wanted. I have more that I definitely don't want on this list. I might be voting a lot of downs.
I'm glad that we have the waiting period because I have completely changed my mind after posting earlier today. Still not 100% sure, though.I'm leaning towards the sea creatures prompt since I found a few whale related books that look interesting. Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings, The Wolf in the Whale, Inside the Whale and Other Essays (also works for essays), The Whale: In Search of the Giants of the Sea
I'm considering the game prompt also. Here are some ideas that came to my mind. Mostly they are books I've read but I'm sure I could find something without too much trouble.
Monopoly: A Gentleman in Moscow - set in a hotel; Orange Is the New Black- set in a jail (prison actually, close enough); Orphan Train- traveling on the railroad
Star Wars Monopoly- Anything Star Wars related or hard SF
Battleship: war books set at sea
Clue: One of my favorite books and games-
The Winshaw Legacy: or, What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe The cover even looks a lot like the new box cover. Many whodunnits would work!
Chess: Chess Story by Stefan Zweig
Ouiji - Anything occult related
Cards- I Am the Messenger; Lonesome Dove
Risk- Anything related to political alliances and taking of territories during war.
Marbles- The Glass Bead Game
I will probably vote for satire so it will push me to read Don Quixote or the Good Soldier Svejk And His Fortunes In The World.
I don't like the ATY prompt because, in general, I don't like prompts where you find letters in the title or author's name. It's so arbitrary to me.
Bec wrote: "Can someone please provide some suggestions for a collection of essays. This screams a big no to me, but I'm open to suggestions before I down vote it."One suggestion is I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel. Two that I am interested in are Secret Windows: Essays and Fiction on the Craft of Writing by Stephen King and Inside the Whale and Other Essays by George Orwell.
Laura wrote: "I had initially been thinking current news stories when I floated the idea in the wild discussion. But people started talking about using historical events and I don't see any issue with that.
..."
When I first read the prompt, I was thinking of current news also. For past news, I would go with American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst, which is one of the first stories I remember seeing on the nightly news. Current would be interesting, especially for non-fiction, to do some research on a current topic, especially with the 2020 US elections coming up. This is definitely my favorite prompt in the batch!
Seluxes wrote: "Pam, those are two of my favorite books! I would not be able to choose."Seluxes- That's awesome to hear because I just added them to my TBR tonight and will read them regardless of the prompts chosen!
dalex wrote: "Nadine wrote: "I’m not feeling inspired by the book inspired by a leading news story, but maybe I’m just thinking about it wrong. Right now all I can think of are memoirs by current politicians. Ca..."Hi Nadine: All of Ausma Zehant Khan's books are based on current events. Generally they are based on current events that have also been human rights violations such as the Serbian/Bosnian war, The Refugee Crisis in Syria, Bombings in Mosques, etc. Her books are riveting. Ian Rankin has several books that mention the vote in Scotland to leave the UK. Those are just a few I can think of off the top of my head...I am sure there are more.
Pam wrote: "Monopoly: A Gentleman in Moscow - set in a hotel; Orange Is the New Black- set in a jail (prison actually, close enough); Orphan Train- traveling on the railroad"This is such a wonderful interpretation of the Game prompt, and a great example of why I enjoy reading these threads. I tend to be quite literal and would never have expanded my way of thinking in this direction. Game prompt has now risen higher!
I ended up picking 4 Top and 4 Bottom again. I really like the leading news story and betrayal, and those were my top choices from the moment I saw them suggested. I also really like the title without A,T, or Y. I know we have a couple of title-based prompts already, but this one seems like a fun scavenger hunt. And my last favourite was the character who is a caregiver -- my own bias, since I work in a caregiving field!None of my downvotes were things I absolutely hated. I managed to find enough options that I could live with any of them, but I chose to use my downvotes for them anyway since I really just wasn't interested. The ALA list, for example, didn't really appeal to me because I have no interest in reading poetry or non-fiction, and most of the fiction category seemed to be literary fiction, with only a few books that I'm interested in reading. I also found the list hard to read past the last couple of years, just because of the formatting.
@Becca - I had this whole long post recommending essay collections, and my computer ate it. It was not to be :-(Basically, essays are like reading a good magazine. You may have a favorite author who published a collection of essays, or favorite subject, and there will be a collection of essays about that.
People who have published popular collections of essays (and I can’t link since ... my computer is not cooperating):
Neil Gaiman
Rebecca Solnit
James Baldwin
Mary Oliver
David Sedaris
Ursula Le Guin
Joan Didion
TaNahisi Coates
Michael Pollan
Book Riot has some good lists. The GR Listopia list is not inspiring.
50 Must-Read Contemporary Essay Collections21 Great Essay Collections from 2019 to Add to Your TBR
7 Brilliant Essay Collections You Need to Read
The Most Anticipated Essay Collections of 2019
The 25 Greatest Essay Collections of All Time
Mod
I'm also going for 4 up votes and 4 down votes. When I picked my list, I ended up with three top and three bottom, so I figured I'd make it even to use all of my votes.
My top votes were for the ALA list (because I love a good list, and there are quite a few on here that I want to read), debut novel by a person of color (because diversity, and I like that it's a debut), and a book inspired by a leading news story (because of the discussion!). I also threw in a collection of essays because I usually read one or two a year, and I nearly always enjoy them.
My bottom votes went to the author whose work I previously disliked, 2 or more names in the title, a book involving a betrayal (because every book has some type of betrayal, right?), a book involving an Olympic sport.
I actually liked this group more than last week's list, and I had more upvotes than last week.
Mod
I voted 4-up 4-down again. Two of the up votes were just so-so for me. Two I really liked. I did vote for the game prompt, which I wasn't leaning toward until the discussion. I'm really hoping that one wins. I was in the middle about most of these, so what wins and what loses will not matter as much for me this time.
I'm kind of torn on the idea of the 'author you disliked before' prompt. In theory, I like this prompt. In practice, there are only some authors that I think are worth giving a second chance to, mostly depending on *why* I disliked the book. I do have 3 or 4 'second chance' books on my TBR right now, but if I don't like any of those enough to finish them, or manage to read most/all of them before next year, I feel like I might get really stuck with that prompt. Unless I could count an author who's work I generally like, but disliked ONE of their books...
I had 6 upvotes and 2 downvotes. I love list prompts, so Up for the ALA list. I am always surprised how much I enjoy essays and want to be pushed to read more, so up for essays. Up too for a debut novel by a person of color. The title that does not include A T or Y will push me to pull something off my bulging TBR list, so up for that. My other two ups I felt less strongly about, but would be happy to have included (Southern Hemisphere and weird or unusual subject). A resounding down to the author with a book you disliked (life is too short to ever give Patricia Cromwell another try) and an "eh" downvote to the sea creature (although I could live with that).
Raquel wrote: "Unless I could count an author who's work I generally like, but disliked ONE of their books..."That's probably how I would interpret it if it got in. I'm currently working through my least-favourite prompts on both my challenges though, so I'm on a bit of a downer about reading things I'm not excited about! That probably reflects in my voting.
Raquel wrote: "I'm kind of torn on the idea of the 'author you disliked before' prompt. In theory, I like this prompt. In practice, there are only some authors that I think are worth giving a second chance to, mo..."I hear you. I’ve absolutely reread an author years later and realized that maybe I just wasn’t ready for their work and now I really love them. That said, it feels like a risky thing to attempt!
However, I’m reading the 1001 list (slowly!) and there’s an author I don’t like with more books on the list, so I could just read one of those. I anticipate still disliking him, but since theoretically I would have to read his books to finish the list, at least it would feel productive.
I find that the key for me with books I’m not enjoying but need to read - like for a book club - the key for me is to do it as an audiobook while I clean etc.
I voted! Thank you to all that make what-to-read list, links and suggestions for the prompts. With all of those I know I could find a book for any prompt. With that being said, my favorites were:*A book about a weird or unusual subject
*A book related to a sea creature
*A book from the list that didn't win
My 2 down votes were the ALA List and Olympic sport.
The ALA Notable Books Lists are a real find. If you go back in the archives you can find a lot of books to choose from, including many likely already on your TBR's.
There are definitely some authors that I'd like to give a second chance. They are popular, prolific, award nominees, etc. so I wonder if my attempt to read their work was just a matter of it being the wrong time in my life or something. One of these is Ann Patchett. I hated Bel Canto. I mean, just the mention of the book makes me cringe. But.....maybe I shouldn't judge her entire body of work by that one experience. Maybe?
I decided to do all upvotes this time since I didn't feel too strongly against any of the prompts. My picks were:A book from an American Library Association's Notable Books List
A debut novel by a person of color
A book set in the southern hemisphere
A collection of essays
A book with a title of 5 or more words
A book with 2 or more names in the title
A dark humored book or satire
A book that fills a prompt from the list of suggestions that didn't win
I voted 6 up and 2 down.Up:
-A book from the ALA list
-A book inspired by a leading news story
-A debut novel by a person of color
-A book set in the Southern Hemisphere
-A collection of essays
-A book that fits a prompt from the list of suggestions that didn’t win
Down
-A book related to a sea creature
-A book related to a famous/popular game
If "a debut novel by a person of color" makes the cut, I will finally read Toni Morrison. I have had her on my TBR for forever and feel it is a travesty that I have not yet read her. If it doesn't make the cut, I am determined to fit her into at least one of the prompts, which shouldn't be hard.
Mod
When I suggested this prompt, I intended it to be new novelists writing contemporary books, but you could totally interpret the prompt this way!
I tend to enjoy older books more than contemporary ones, and I would hate passing over Morrison to read a newer author. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you think of The Bluest Eye.
dalex wrote: "There are definitely some authors that I'd like to give a second chance. They are popular, prolific, award nominees, etc. so I wonder if my attempt to read their work was just a matter of it being ..."I hope you will give Ann Patchett another chance. Try the Magician's Assistant or The Patron Saint of Liars both of which I liked way better than Bel Canto which I found disappointing once I got around to reading it.
I only upvoted this time! I didn’t strongly dislike any prompt ideas so I figured not to vote them down. I upvoted these 8
A book from an American Library Association’s Notable Book List (I’m always down to read a book with positive reviews)
A Book Inspired by a Leading News Story (good way to tie in diverse topics for those who want to)
A debut novel by a person of color
A book set in the Southern Hemisphere (I want to learn more about South American countries)
A Winner of a foreign Literacy Prize
A book related to a famous/popular game (The Hunger Games is a pretty famous game, am I right? Or am I right? I want to re-read this. Also sounds like a fun research prompt)
A dark humored novel or satire
A book that fits a prompt from the list of suggestions that didn’t win (I think we’ve all lost a prompt we wanted!)
Can someone give me some ideas for the debut novel by a person of color? I want to give it a chance for the diversity, but the "debut" part seems restrictive. Lists? Suggestions?
Thanks everyone, that really helps with the essays. The word just makes me think of school - and I don't want to read school type stuff in my 40s!
Here are a few brief lists of debut novels by persons of color:https://bookriot.com/2019/04/03/2019-...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
The following is a list of 100 debut novels and just skimming it there are several persons of color:
https://bookriot.com/2017/02/21/100-m...
including the first three: Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe, Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, andThe House of the Spirits - Isabel Allende.
Also: The Mothers - Brit Bennett
Breath, Eyes, Memory - Edwidge Danticat
Love Medicine - Louise Erdrich
Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi
and many, many more.
Mod
Edie wrote: "I hope you will give Ann Patchett another chance. Try the Magician's Assistant or The Patron Saint of Liars both of which I liked way better than Bel Canto which I found disappointing once I got around to reading it."Thanks Edie! I have Commonwealth on my tentative reading list for next year.
dalex wrote: "Edie wrote: "I hope you will give Ann Patchett another chance. Try the Magician's Assistant or The Patron Saint of Liars both of which I liked way better than Bel Canto which I found disappointing ..."Ann Patchett co-owns the bookstore where my book club meets. She lead the discussion of Commonwealth when our club read it several years ago. I liked it... but not as much as the two books I recommended. Every one of the books of hers I have read is quite different.
Well, I’m very jealous of Edie and her bookclub now!
Mod
Bahaha I would say YES.
Finally voted. I’m one of those who likes to mull things over for a couple of days. I ha 4 clear up votes this week (ALA list, leading new story and debut novel by POC. I downvoted title not containing ATY (only one title from my TBR worked and I’m not a fan of prompts that are super restrictive of super difficult to fill - Read Harder has enough of those for me this year), sea creature (possibly still scarred from Moby Dick which I didn’t like) and I think 2 or more names I the title. I may have downvoted one other but now I can’t recall what it was!
Mod
I always do 4 and 4. It just makes sense to go that way for me!
The only one I upvoted I feel strongly about is the ALA book. One of my favorite prompts this year has been the NYPL recommendations.
I do find it funny how the prompts define people's reading styles or where they want to push themselves.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Commonwealth (other topics)Breath, Eyes, Memory (other topics)
The Mothers (other topics)
Purple Hibiscus (other topics)
Things Fall Apart (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ann Patchett (other topics)Anne Bogel (other topics)
Diana Peterfreund (other topics)
Diana Peterfreund (other topics)
