Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2021] The Wild Discussion
I generally would love to see more prompts related to (20)21, and I find the traditions related to turning 21 really interesting! I would vote for a prompt related to that :) Turning 21 is nothing really special anymore here in Germany, though. The milestones are 14, 16, and 18 for things like age of consent, drinking alcohol, driving, and voting. It used to be the age of maturity (my aunt, who got married in the sixties when she was 20, still had to obtain her father's consent), but as far as I'm aware there is nothing now that you can do at 21 that you weren't allowed to do at 18.
I would like to revisit my Wikipedia prompt idea at some point: Wikipedia will be turning 20 next year, so in honor of that I'm planning to suggest a
prompt related to a featured or random article on Wikipedia on a given day.
The Wikipedia home page features a different article and image every day, plus a list of "On this day ..." and "Did you know ...". There is also a "Random article" button you can click. So there are a bunch of options. And to make it harder (BIO) you could allow yourself only one specific day (like 15 January, Wikipedia's birthday, or your own birthday, or the day you're planning to choose the book for that prompt), or only allow yourself one attempt at a Random Article. To KIS, you could allow yourself an unlimited number of attempts on different days.
Would that work for you? I quite like the idea because it has a connection to 2021, I haven't seen this kind of prompt before, it can be adjusted to make it harder or easier but is definitely not a freebie, and it celebrates knowledge, which is never a bad thing^^
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a book that is related to a book you loved as a child
It could be the setting - I liked Madeline so I would read a book set in Paris
It could be the theme - I liked Betsy-Tacy about girls who are friends so I would read My Brilliant Friend
It could be the genre - I liked fairy tales so I would read Uprooted
It could be the author - I liked The Hobbit, or There and Back Again so I would read The Fellowship of the Ring
Maybe with all those options, this would be too easy, but if someone has a suggestion to narrow it down, let me know.
Robin P wrote: "In the US, there are "latchkey" children, who let themselves in after school because the parents are at work. Certainly by teenage years, most young people have a key to their house. But I can see it would still be a nice tradition. Unfortunately, most traditions in the US of turning 18 or 21 involve drinking alcohol or buying cigarettes or gambling. "Same here. I would have started a riot if my parents hadn't given me my own house key by fourteen or sixteen at the absolutely very latest :D Not just so I could come and go as I please, but also so that I wouldn't have had to wake them up if I came home later than their bedtime (not to mention in the middle of the night on weekends). As a tradition, though, it is really nice, and I can see lots of options for books!
Something connected to Wikipedia would be nice. The featured articles are all pre-selected:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikiped...
I'm not so sure about the "given day" part. Like you can check here for the schedule, but it seems an extra bit of work to find a day that works and means something to you, rather than just selecting a topic.
The random article never gives me anything interesting.
Robin P wrote: "I have an idea for a prompt, but maybe it's too broad. It is a book that is related to a book you loved as a child
It could be the setting - I liked Madeline so I would read a book..."
I really love this, it's actually one of my faves mentioned this year.
Robin P wrote: "I read a lot of British books and I've never heard of the key tradition. I just looked it up. It seems like it would only make sense back in the days when Mum or Nanny was home for the kids after s..."Yeah it's definitely an archaic thing now; I had keys to the house at 15 because my mum changed jobs and I had to let myself and my sister into the house when we finished school. (I'm in my 30s so this was a few decades ago.) By the time I turned 21 I had moved out of my parents' house so I had my own house key!
Lots of 21st birthday cards still have keys on the front or come with a fake plastic key, but I don't know anyone who actually had to wait until they were 21 to get the actual house key.
I expect that, back when it was an actual thing, it was only the upper-classes anyway - 'a key to the estate that will one day be your inheritance' kind of thing. A lot of people, particularly in cities, lived in households with multiple generations and / or shared with other families so there would have been someone home pretty much all the time (especially as married women usually worked from home, taking in laundry or doing embroidery).
I’ve never heard of the key tradition. I don’t think my parents or either set of grandparents even had house keys...they never locked their doors and pretty much anyone was welcome to walk right in, even if they weren’t home.
Nancy wrote: "I've been pondering a list prompt, would people want a prompt like "Caldecott or Newbery winners?" I'd love a children's book prompt.."I had thought of something similar, but broader - “a book that won an award for a genre you don’t often read.” This could be Newbery for children’s books, the Alex Award for young adult, the Rita for romance, the Edgar for mystery, the Spur for Western, the Booker for lit fic, the Hugo for sci-fi or fantasy, the National Book Award for non-fiction, etc.
It seems, though, that “not your favorite genre” prompts are generally unpopular. And prize prompts are similarly disliked.
Thoughts? Opinions?
Irene, I like both of those prompts. Particularly I find the one where you are not the intended audience intriguing.Conny, like the wikipedia one too!
Interesting to hear the feedback about the keys. It might very well be generational, my Auntie Jean moved to the US when she was around 18 just post WWII for an idea of her age. That said, she did not give me an actual key to her house. It was a skeleton key that I use as decoration and there was one on the card as well. She said that nowadays it was more of a symbol of unlocking the door to adulthood then a literal here is the key to the house though at one time it had been.
Sounds though like there is equal interest in both forms of the prompt so maybe I'll start with the general one and move to the key if that one doesn't make it. Don't mind if other people suggest either or both if I don't make it to the suggestions thread too!
Can I suggest the kids book prompt be reworded something like "a nominee of a major children's book award"? That gives people outside the US a bit more wiggle room and more choices for everyone.
How are people feeling about a prompt involving a physical handicap?There was lots of awareness raising for mental struggles recently and I really liked that. So I thought it would be great to read and learn a bit more about how physically handicapped people live their life and what challenges they face.
I want to read about a deaf person falling in love, someone with cerebral palsy follow their dream, I don’t know, a paralyzed person escape a serial killer, an amputee in space?
I think the disability idea would be better if it was own voices - I can think of books I’ve read with disabled major characters that are pretty cringe worthy, and didn’t give insight into that community.
Chrissy wrote: "I think the disability idea would be better if it was own voices - I can think of books I’ve read with disabled major characters that are pretty cringe worthy, and didn’t give insight into that com..."Thats a good point. So then better "an author with" than "a character with"?
or "own voices with a handicapped character"
I could be wrong but I think the term "handicap" isn't widely used anymore, physical disability might be better. And I wonder if keeping it to own voices might be too limiting, and a better BIO option. Maybe "a book written by or about a character with a physical disability?"I would rather keep the children's book one to that genre, but I would be willing to broaden it to any children's book award winner/nominee.
I didn't mean to offend anyone, English isn't my main language. Thank you for pointing that out!I'd like a children's book award prompt, but I also generally dislike prompts limited to one award, because it will likely limit your choices to American or English language literature.
I don’t always love the award prompts, but only because I find that I usually really despise ones that are critically acclaimed. I wouldn’t upvote the prompt, but I also wouldn’t downvote. I’m also confused about which child prompt we are discussing. I really like the idea of something you loved as a child (for me it was witches). But I would probably downvote a children book award winner/nominee. I’m generally open to different genres and pushing my comfort zone, but I don’t see myself getting any enjoyment or feeling like I’m learning anything new from a children’s book, especially since I don’t have any kids to read them to.
I've found some really great books from children's book awards, they're often thought-provoking and address current issues. A lot of people read children's books even if they don't have kids or their kids are older. Caldecott is for picture books, but Newbery is more broadly any children's book. So for example, here's the blurb on this year's Newbery winner, which I'd never heard of until now:
"New Kid, written and illustrated by Jerry Craft, published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Jordan Banks can’t help seeing privilege when he transfers to Riverdale Academy Day School for seventh grade. As one of the few African American students in the school, he regularly deals with racism and microaggressions. Craft creates an intimate, relatable world inviting readers in, and holds them there.
“This distinct, timely, and honest story respects children and gives its readers a glimpse into what it means to be other,” said Newbery Medal Committee Chair Krishna Grady."
New Kid is a graphic novel geared toward middle schoolers. I think it's important to know what kids are reading and what books make an impact on them, even if you don't have kids.
I can always work with an awards prompt, but I must agree on the children's book. I wouldn't mind the "something you loved as a child" prompt, but an actual children's book would be a stretch for me and a Newbery or Caldecott Winner a no-go.
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I definitely think children’s books raise issues that are important and are much more open and diverse than when I was a child. But for me, I would hope adults were reading about these issues from a book geared towards adults. I wouldn’t trust a children’s book to have the breadth and depth required to properly educate adults on the complexity, arguments, and next steps needed for adults to make a difference.
I didn't even like kids books when I was a kid...haha! I got bored around 8 years old and started reading the books my older siblings were assigned to read, like The Scarlet Letter, Oliver Twist, and Pride & Prejudice.
Alicia wrote: "I definitely think children’s books raise issues that are important and are much more open and diverse than when I was a child. But for me, I would hope adults were reading about these issues fro..."
Of course, and this would not be instead of adult books. I think there's a benefit to seeing the issues from a child's perspective too.
I think children's books have come a long way since some of us were kids... I am an adult and I don't see any problem with reading books aimed at any age. I read adult books as a child too but now sometimes I like to see what talented writers and artists are doing in a sector that so many people dismiss rudely.
What do y'all think of a book related to "the end"?Could be a book literally ends with "the end" but could also include the last book an author wrote
The last book in a series
Title include last, final, end, etc
The end of an era, the end of life
Dystopian- the end of the world as we know it
I liked that one, Kathy Jo. That is the kind of prompt I am drawn to.
I like "the end" too. Lots of good options there.
Once again, I have missed the nomination process. I checked yesterday morning... and read that the suggestions would open in the afternoon or evening. I figured if I checked in early Saturday morning, I might get to suggest something (no more title prompts, please), but no, the voting has already begun on what IMO is another set of ho hum prompts. When I went back to see when the suggestions opened (earlier than had been indicated they would be), I found they were open for about 90 minutes, not exactly a large window for anyone who isn't spending all their time looking for it. I get that we are limiting this to 15 prompts which I totally agree with, so I don't see a solution, but it is disappointing. I would appreciate a full day or so to discuss prompts before the poll is live. For me, most of the time the list existed was night and early morning when I am not on a computer.
Edie, I know this doesn’t completely solve the problem, but if you put your suggestion here I’ll suggest it for you.
Also, one thing I think could help, is to post here when the suggestion thread is live. I have notifications for this thread, and it may be easier to notify people that post here often.
Alicia wrote: "Also, one thing I think could help, is to post here when the suggestion thread is live. I have notifications for this thread, and it may be easier to notify people that post here often."You can follow, turn on notifications, and get emails when the Reading List Announcements Thread is updated. It’s a thread precisely for announcing when the suggestions and polls go live. I also have put several of my own suggestions in the Wild Discussion, and others have picked them up and suggested them without me, and visa versa, I’ve suggested prompts from what people posted here! Definitely worth putting your ideas here so others can suggest them as well!
Ooh I didn’t know I could do that. I’ll add those notifications too
I like "the end" prompt also. Lots of different ways to go with it.Edie, I usually catch part of each nomination process, so I could suggest yours too.
I'm quite out of suggestions myself this year so I'm glad other people are coming up with some good ones. I've been seconding though.
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As to the speed of the suggestions rounds and the short discussion time between that thread and the poll opening, I don't know that there's much we can do about that this year. Part of the aim of this year's suggestions/voting/results schedule was to keep things moving, since in the past people have felt that the process was too drawn out. It's something to consider in the future though. Although, I'll point out that the suggestions do tend to slow down a lot as we get to the later polls.
Jackie wrote: "We do try to vary what time the suggestions start, but it still has to work for when one of us is available to moderate that thread. I think all of the current mods are in the US, in either CST or ..."Thanks for hearing my concerns. I do appreciate how much time moderators spend on the voting, creating listopias (which I love), readathons and various other threads that make this my favorite group. Moderators need to have a life too.
I do remember that things slow down later in the process of setting up the next year's list, so am hopeful that I will be able to nominate some prompts down the road. I was all in favor of speeding up the process. That said, it feels like the current process is moving at warp speed and I am missing some of the discussions that occurred during the process.
Alicia wrote: "Edie, I know this doesn’t completely solve the problem, but if you put your suggestion here I’ll suggest it for you."Thanks Alicia. We still have lots of prompts to go, so I am sure I will get a chance to suggest something in the future.
Edie wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Edie, I know this doesn’t completely solve the problem, but if you put your suggestion here I’ll suggest it for you."Thanks Alicia. We still have lots of prompts to go, so I am sure..."
I'd love to see your suggestions here, Edie! I don't know if you already posted them here before, if so, can you tell me which comment number it is? I haven't been able to think of prompts myself (aside from the ATY best books of the month) but have suggested someone else's prompt.
I was wondering if maybe there could be a thread for members that would like to suggest a prompt but have not been able to yet. It is sometimes difficult in the wild discussion to know what are ideas that people are coming up with that they would like feedback on rather than ideas they want to suggest but are unable to make the suggestion poll. I think there are several of us that would be willing to use our one suggestion in a poll for someone who has not gotten a chance.
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Or one week only open to people who haven't yet submitted a suggestion? The rest of us could second, clarify, discuss, etc. if we wish to.
Not an actual poll rather a list of ideas.so person "a" has never go to make a suggestion and they have and idea "read a ___ book"
then if I was on during the poll I could post person
"a" "read a ___ book" (it would count as my suggestion for that poll) anyone could seconded it or not
(This year I have decided not to make any suggestions or seconds but I would not mind posting for someone who has never gotten to put up a suggestion. It is just difficult to figure out who has not gotten a chance and what their prompts are).
I like the Wikipedia idea that Conny mentioned. It's different and fun!
I was thinking of how many books I've read with twins this summer (because of the summer reading challenge) and thought of this: A book somehow tied to a major league baseball team. Examples: MN Twins (twins), Kansas City Royals (royal family), Chicago Cubs (bear), Seattle Mariners (sailor, ocean adventure), etc.
This might be too broad, or too US-centric, but I thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone had thoughts. This is the first somewhat original idea I've had while brainstorming prompts.
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A book somehow tied to a major league baseball team. Examples: MN ..."
I think that would be fun with the winner of this year's World Series. I don't know if people would be willing to vote for it without knowing which team will win...perhaps that would be a good BIO option.
Traci, I LOVE that prompt!! I also happen to love baseball. I’d prefer it to be broader where we can pick any MLB team. God forbid, the Dodgers win the World Series, my poor little SF Giants heart wouldn’t be able to take it!
I love the baseball team idea, but would want it to be any team too, especially because who knows if there will actually be a World Series this year....A BIO option could be your local team, or your favorite team.
If people think it's too US-centric it could be "tied to your favorite professional sports team."
I agree with Nancy that the “favorite professional sports team” is broader and will probably appeal to more since we seem to have a large UK population. But if you’re sold to just baseball, maybe try baseball the next round and then if it doesn’t make it, there are still other rounds to submit the broader idea.
I like the baseball idea but I’d also like it be any team. I would not want it to be “favorite” team. Adding “favorite” to a prompt generally means I downvote it so I would rather favorite team be a BIO.
I also like the idea generally but "related to a professional sports team" would work better for those of us who don't particularly follow any sports teams, and are also not in the US. I am Australian and not a regular sports watcher, but I do know the names of many teams in this region, including great names such as Roosters, Kookaburras, Wallabies, All Blacks, Boomers, etc. This does make it broad, but narrow prompts are often downvoted, as I would for baseball, about which I know nothing.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm still struggling with how to word it since I was already thinking it was too broad and any professional sports team feels like it becomes a gimme. I don't like favorite because though I do have a favorite sports team, I could see many not and I have gotten stuck on many a "favorite" prompt. Maybe it should be an Australian sports team so we can all read about kookaburras and wallabies!
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Around the Year in 52 Books
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- A book with alliteration in the title (two words that start with the same letter). ex: Love in a Cold Climate, Daniel Daronda, A Room of One'..."
I really like the alliterations prompt and the 500 Women list - I'd vote for both of those.