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[2020] Voting for 11th Mini Poll
Is southern lit any book set in the south-eastern US or is it a particular type of story?I'm happy to see Brains, Beauty, Brawn getting a second chance. I also like the geometry one (circles seem to be a big cover trend right now) and survival.
At first glance, I may not use any down votes this week! I particularly like the geometric pattern on cover and metafiction (I didn't know this was a category, but I've really liked the few books I've read that qualify). My first to reaction to 'book you see someone else reading' was negative because after Popsugar's 'book you see a stranger reading in public' I discovered that people do not often read in public in my town. This one is is much more flexible though, and I actually really like it, given all the options that are included.
Raquel wrote: "My first to reaction to 'book you see someone else reading' was negative because after Popsugar's 'book you see a stranger reading in public..."I had the exact same reaction before I re-read the prompt. Although I must say everyone's been reading print books in public this year (to spite me, I'm sure).
Ellie wrote: "Is southern lit any book set in the south-eastern US or is it a particular type of story?"It's literature about the American south or by a southern writer. It usually deals with themes of southern culture & history, but the wikipedia article talks about how contemporary southern lit covers all sorts of modern southern experiences.
Well, this list certainly has a lot of new and unique ideas! I must confess I don't really love any of the prompts, however.
I’d like to see some ideas for book set at Seven Wonders. At first glance I can’t really think of many books but maybe I’m missing something. The Old Drift is set at Victoria Falls ... and of course there is Krakuer’s Everest book, and they visit the Grand Canyon in L’engle’s The Moon By Night ... what else??
I am not excited about this list. I don’t read a ton of historical fiction but I already jump around and hate having to analyze what I read. So that will be a down vote.I like books about books but I’ve done that prompt so many times that it is not something to up vote.
Maybe my disappointment stems from really liking the choices last poll.
I am definitely looking forward to the discussion to help me find some prompts I do like.
When southern lit was suggested there was a link to a Listopia for Regional Grit Lit and apparently I like grit lit because I have lots of books I want to read on that list.
Nadine wrote: "When southern lit was suggested there was a link to a Listopia for Regional Grit Lit and apparently I like grit lit because I have lots of books I want to read on that list."I feel like I just discovered grit lit last year, and I am really loving it too. I actually thought about submitting that as a prompt, but thought it might be too narrow for people.
Yes! I would totally vote for grit lit (but I have not suggested it, for the same reason).
The "set at" part of the seven wonders does limit it a bit much, set near would really open it up. One of the seven natural wonders isn't even a place...
I would love more discussion/clarification on the meta-fiction prompt. As I understand it, meta-fiction encompasses any book where the character recognizes they are in a fiction book, or there is some sort of story within a story? The Starless Sea comes to mind as maybe working for this because the character stumbles upon a book with a story from his own childhood.Would something like Groundhogs Day work for this, where the character is able to re-live the same day and knows it?
Or something like House of Cards where the character breaks the Fourth Wall and talks to the camera?
I think any book that acknowledges being a book can count as meta fiction, such as books that address a “reader,” including the famous book that ends: “Reader, I married him.” (view spoiler)
I really like the theme of survival prompt. I like that it lends itself to a popular genre (thriller/crime), but it also can encompass so much more. A book about a survivalist family, overcoming a health problem or illness, or overcoming bullying.I dislike a book about a book because that is one of our prompts this year already. I am also not a fan of the red/white cover for 2020 Olympics because we already have a prompt that this can be a KIS option for.
Avery wrote: "I would love more discussion/clarification on the meta-fiction prompt. As I understand it, meta-fiction encompasses any book where the character recognizes they are in a fiction book, or there is s..."The metafiction I've really enjoyed at the ones that break, or at least poke at, the fourth wall.
Redshirts does this as sci-fi satire as the 'expendable crewmen' try to figure out why they always die on missions.
The Eyre Affair mostly just plays with the format in a way that makes you feel like you're interacting with the book world, such as when dialogue takes place between the footnotes and main text.
Come to think of it, this might also be why Northanger Abbey is my favorite Jane Austen. It's in a very different style from the modern versions, but it does clearly break the fourth wall at the beginning by pointing out how the main character does not fit the stereotype you'd expect for a romance heroine.
I hadn't even considered thriller/crime books for the survival prompt when I suggested it. I was thinking more along the lines of survival against nature, like in The Old Man and the Sea, Hatchet, The Martian, or The Swiss Family Robinson.But the fact that the theme of survival can be found across genres is why I thought it might appeal to people more than a specific genre.
Peter wrote: "I hadn't even considered thriller/crime books for the survival prompt when I suggested it. I was thinking more along the lines of survival against nature, like in [book:The Old Man and the Sea|2165..."I like it either way, I am planning to vote for it! I would try to find a book with the theme how you originally intended, but it’s nice to be able to fall back on a general thriller as a KIS option!
I really like the survival prompt because I used to read a lot of survival against nature stories as a kid, and I could easily either re-read a favorite or read one I never got too. (For those who liked the western prompt, there are are even some westerns that count as survival stories. For instance: Down the Long Hills)
Oh, and I used to read Jim Kjelgaard books, which are basically dog survival stories for the most part, for a really different twist. (Xenofiction survival stories!)
Raquel wrote: "I really like the survival prompt because I used to read a lot of survival against nature stories as a kid, and I could easily either re-read a favorite or read one I never got too. (For those wh..."
I'm pretty sure I read every single Jim Kjelgaard book when I was in elementary school!
Am I missing something about the Audio prompt or does that just completely exclude (some/many) hearing impaired readers?
Mini wrote: "Am I missing something about the Audio prompt or does that just completely exclude (some/many) hearing impaired readers?"I love audio books but for that reason I never vote for the prompt. It seems to come up every year but never wins. There is also a significant amount of members that do not like audio books so while I'm not the best at predicting how the votes will go I don't think this one will make it in the top.
Also, for the survival theme, the I Survived series, by Lauren Tarshis. They are children's chapter books, maybe early middle grade, so it wouldn't work for a lot of people, but for those who like to do a kids' version of the challenge (or have their kids do the challenge with them), or just for those needing the occasional quick read to keep up with the challenge, these are great books. My son is really too old for them, but he still begs for each new one that is released and we enjoy reading them together.
Regarding the" see what someone else is reading", I really like including ATY members. I'm actually doing that challenge at my library, and it's been hard finding real life people reading without asking them, but if we had a way to share books we're reading in the group it could be fun!
Jillian wrote: "I love audio books but for that reason I never vote for the p..."Ah, I see. Thanks, I'll probably down vote or ignore that one then.
I don't know what it is about audio books but I just don't like them. I listen to music or podcasts on the commute and that's fine but whenever I try an audio book it just doesn't work. I end up part way through and have no idea what is happening. I've tried a few across genres to see if it is something specific I have an issue with but can't seem to find one. They must just not be for me.
Kat wrote: "I don't know what it is about audio books but I just don't like them. I end up part way through and have no idea what is happening."This.
Like Nadine, I would love to hear some suggestions for the 7 Wonders prompt. Same thing with the First Responder prompt. So far my research has turned up books a first responder should read, non-fictions about fires (so they don't necessarily have a protagonist), and romance novels with sexy firefighters.
Eujean2 wrote: "Like Nadine, I would love to hear some suggestions for the 7 Wonders prompt. Same thing with the First Responder prompt. So far my research has turned up books a first responder should read, non-..."
Here are some First Responder prompt ideas:
Every day heroes - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Fictional Police Stories -https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Paramedic/EMT Characters Fiction - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
Firefighters - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Uniforms in Christian & Inspirational Fiction - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
Fire Nonfiction - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
Hahaha one of the titles on one of those first responders book lists is: “Christmas with Dr Delicious.” And woohoohoo wouldn’t we all like to spend the holidays with Dr Delicious?!?! 😄
I feel the Audio book is not a great prompt. I consider this a format preference vs. a reading challenge. The same as if a prompt said "Read a hard cover book..."
I'm surprised there aren't many books on my TBR with a mode of transportation on them. I may try to stretch it to include a paper airplanes, roads, broomsticks, horseback, theme park rides etc. if I decide to vote for it. 
Eujean2 wrote: "Same thing with the First Responder prompt. So far my research has turned up books a first responder should read, non-..."Tons of thrillers/crime books have police or detectives as protagonists. Also, off of my list, I see Goodbye, Paris (one of the main characters saves the life of a woman in the Paris Metro), Things You Save in a Fire (fire-fighter), and The Queen of Hearts (trauma surgeon). I guess some of these would be slightly stretching if you take secondary characters, or if you wouldn't count the surgeon as a first responder.
Kat wrote: "I don't know what it is about audio books but I just don't like them. I listen to music or podcasts on the commute and that's fine but whenever I try an audio book it just doesn't work. I end up pa..."Same. I've tried a couple and I've never gone further than half an hour before realising I have no idea what is going on. It's a definite down vote for me
For the first responder - here are some I can think of/find. Some of them may fall outside the realm of the typical view of police/fire/ambulance but working as a 911 dispatcher, there are a lot of roles outside of police/fire/ambulance that fall under the umbrella of "first responder".The Child Finder - Private investigator/missing child expert
Jaws - Police chief (It fits the prompt but I wouldn't recommend the book though...)
The Caine Mutiny - Navy Seaman on a minesweeper during WWI
The Last Policeman - Police officer/Detective
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth - Did you know astronaut's are often high level navy/airforce pilots first? I didn't before I read this.
Mr. Mercedes - Retired police officer/private investigator
Shutter Island - U.S. Marshal
Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 - Navy SEAL
No Angel: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels - DEA Agent
Night Watch - Supernatural "police" force
Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda - Peacekeepers
Any military fiction or a thriller/crime book with a detective/police officer as a main character would fit as well.
I'm interested in the brains, beauty and brawn. One of my students did a project on The Way of the Fight and at first I wasn't interested at all but he did a great job and I'm sold.
I'd like some more clarification about the 7 Wonders prompt, too. It would be frustrating to find a specific novel written about the setting, but a little easier to find a book set in the region of or time period of the place. First responder might be a little triggering for me, so I probably will not vote for this prompt.
I'm a fan of Canadian authors and will vote for any prompt that includes a Canadian author.
I'm voting 5 up and 3 down at this point. My down votes mostly have to do with search frustration. It helps a great deal to have examples when a prompt is submitted to help decide if there is room for flexible interpretation.
Eujean2 wrote: "Same thing with the First Responder prompt. So far my research has turned up books a first responder should read, non-fictions about fires (so they don't necessarily have a protagonist), and romance novels with sexy firefighters. "It's a good thing there are other options because I would definitely be down voting a prompt that required me to read a sexy firefighter romance...
I wouldn't count a detective as a first responder, they are not first to respond to a 999 call... but maybe that's a country specific thing.
Ellie wrote: "I wouldn't count a detective as a first responder, they are not first to respond to a 999 call... but maybe that's a country specific thing."I agree. Here in England it would be a uniformed police officer who would respond first.
While I personally read a lot via audiobooks, a hearing impaired person could not complete this prompt as written. For that reason alone I'm voting this one down.
Mod
An audiobook or a book that has a highly rated audio version
There’s some books, like Daisy Jones & The Six, that I constantly hear are amazing in audio but I always still read the paper version since I’m such a vidual person and get lost in audio.
Linda wrote: "I feel the Audio book is not a great prompt. I consider this a format preference vs. a reading challenge. The same as if a prompt said "Read a hard cover book..."" I have no way to listen to an audio book on what CD...no. Playaway, Maybe but I would have to buy headphones. Phone...not as old as it is. I would have to bypass that prompt or read the book out loud to myself. that would work.
A friend told me about her son -in -law who reads out loud to himself. He goes out in a canoe to read in the mornings, LOL
Martha wrote: "I'd like some more clarification about the 7 Wonders prompt, too. It would be frustrating to find a specific novel written about the setting, but a little easier to find a book set in the region of..."I was thinking the same thing. I missed the whole suggestion thread because I was out last night, but I was hoping for a few more lists of examples. Some of the prompts that I've tried to look at so far have been a bit tricky to research. At first glance, I don't hate anything, but there is nothing that I strongly want either.
Laura wrote: "I’ve been trying to think of a way to re-word the audio prompt but the best thing I can come up with is: An audiobook or a book that has a highly rated audio version"
Yes, please. I love that adjustment to the prompt I originally suggested! Thank you again for being so inclusive.
Thanks for the suggestions. I was not thinking of detectives or private investigators as first responders. I had thought the prompt meant more along the lines of fire fighters and EMTs....people who are the first to arrive at the scene of the emergency.
Looking at those lists, I can confirm that people *really* like sexy firefighter books!
Ann wrote: "Linda wrote: "I feel the Audio book is not a great prompt. I consider this a format preference vs. a reading challenge. The same as if a prompt said "Read a hard cover book..."" I have no way to li..."At our library the playaways come with earphones. Maybe even if they don't come that way automatically at yours you could ask if they have a a few pairs available to borrow.
Peter wrote: "For the first responder - here are some I can think of/find. Some of them may fall outside the realm of the typical view of police/fire/ambulance but working as a 911 dispatcher, there are a lot of..."The Extreme Medical Services series would count - protagonist is an EMT/ambulance driver.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Call of the Wild (other topics)Life of Pi (other topics)
The Martian (other topics)
The Old Man and the Sea (other topics)
Into the Wild (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lauren Tarshis (other topics)Jim Kjelgaard (other topics)
Voting will open on 8/24 and results will be posted on 8/29.
How it works:
- When the voting opens, follow the link to the mini-poll that will be added at the end of this post
- You have a total of 8 votes this poll to spread across your favourite and least favourite prompts (you can also use less than 8 votes)
- The poll will be open for five days, so you don't have to rush and vote straightaway
- The prompts with the more "positive" votes (top minus bottom) will be announced shortly after the end of the poll and added to the final list (expect between 2 and 5 depending on how the votes are spread)
- We are asking people to include their Goodreads profile address when they vote. To find this, just go to your own profile and then copy the URL/web address. If for some reason you can't link to your Goodreads profile, please post your full Goodreads name with enough identifiable information that we'll be able to access your profile. We’ve introduced this for two reasons:
1. On a few occasions in each poll, people have used more than the allotted number of votes, either because they aren’t familiar with the rules or just by mistake. When this happens our only option is to disregard the vote as we can’t identify the voter to ask them to resubmit. By asking for your profile address we’ll be able to message you and ask you to vote again if you’ve accidentally used more than the allotted number of votes.
2. Unfortunately a very small number of people have voted more than once per poll and so we are asking for this information to prevent duplicate votes.
As a reminder: You have a total of 8 votes to use among your top and bottom votes. The mods have access to each individual vote, so we can see if you use more than 8 votes. If you use more than 8 votes in the poll, your vote will have to be deleted, so please make sure to follow the directions so your voice can be heard.
Poll Entries:
- A southern lit book
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/sout...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souther...
https://bookriot.com/2013/06/20/100-m...
- A work of metafiction
http://ronaldbrichardson.com/metafict...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
https://www.listchallenges.com/200-aw...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_...
- An historical fiction novel set during a time period you don't normally read about
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/civi...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/vict...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/worl...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/medi...
- A book featuring a character who is job-searching, unemployed, and/or loses or quits their job in the course of the story
- A book set at one of the 7 Wonders of the World, 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, or 7 Natural Wonders of the World
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/t...
- A book that you saw someone else reading
(e.g. on social media, at a coffee shop, on public transportation, within the ATY group)
https://coverspy.tumblr.com/#_=_
- A book with a mode of transportation on the cover
eg. cars, trains, planes, boats, spacecraft, horses, bicycles, rollerblades
- 3 books linked to the saying "Beauty, Brains, Brawn”
Beauty: a book by an artist or celebrity, a book related to art, a book about inner beauty, a book with illustrations, a book with a beautiful cover, a book related to Sleeping Beauty or Beauty and the Beast, a book with a character you find attractive
Brains: a book by a scientist or doctor, a book related to education, a book related to zombies, a required reading for school or class, a book that will teach you something, a puzzle book
Brawn: a book by an athlete, a book related to sports, a book about inner strength, a physically large book, a book with a hefty page count
- A book with a geometric pattern or element on the cover
(eg. stripes, polka-dots, repeating title, a person wearing a plaid shirt, cube on the cover)
- An audiobook
(CD, MP3, etc) (any genres and number of narrators or cast members)
https://www.buzzfeed.com/tabathalegge...
https://io9.gizmodo.com/10-audiobooks...
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/th...
https://mashable.com/2017/10/05/audib...
https://bookriot.com/2017/11/28/best-...
- A book where the protagonist is a first responder
- A book by an Australian, Canadian or New Zealand author
- A book about books
(eg. a book with a bookstore, a book where lots of books are mentioned, a book featuring a library)
- A book with the major theme of survival
- In honour of the 2020 Olympics to be held in Japan, read a book with a red and white cover
Vote Here:
https://www.surveymoz.com/s/VMPNU/