[2021] The Wild Discussion Showing 851-900 of 2,279

[Lizzy]

Pam wrote: "I suggested the LAPL book list but excluded the Best of Year lists. My thought was to encourage people to pick a list that is something other than the most popular books from each year. They have s..."


I love this compilation of lists -- I downloaded to my own computer so that i could poke around in it a bit.

[Juliet]

Jackie wrote: "I would bet money on 'graphic novel' being a polarizing prompt, lol. People seem to either love or hate them"

I would bet this has to do with how many people use e-readers now. Unless you have a full color model graphic novels range from 'a pain' to 'impossible' . I personally have 2 e-readers because I do enjoy comics and have one just for that, but for most people its a real hassle

[Jackie, Solstitial Mod]

Juliet wrote: "Jackie wrote: "I would bet money on 'graphic novel' being a polarizing prompt, lol. People seem to either love or hate them"

I would bet this has to do with how many people use e-readers now. Unle..."

I have kindle paperwhite so I don't read graphic novels on it, but I will read them on my phone. The kindle app lets you scroll from panel to panel so its not too small. Obviously that wouldn't work for everybody or for every graphic novel, but I think it's a pretty neat feature.

[Pam]

Lizzy wrote: "Pam wrote: "I suggested the LAPL book list but excluded the Best of Year lists. My thought was to encourage people to pick a list that is something other than the most popular books from each year...."

Lizzy- I'm glad to hear that! I am going to do the same. I haven't had a chance to peruse more than 1 or 2 of the lists but I like some of the more unusual categories, including the Hollywood ones.

[Nadine in NY]

I’ve read graphic novels on my phone - I expected to hate the experience (as someone who loves graphic novels and couldn’t imagine enjoying them electronically because I love the full page art effect) and I was really surprised that it works so well!! Bonus: I could take screenshots of the art!!

[[deleted user]]

Sara wrote: "The random word generator is a great idea. I tried it and got "singer" which would open up tons of possibilities. I'd be in for that one."

thank you!

[[deleted user]]

Conny wrote: "The random word generator is a cool idea, I would vote for that one :) It may be a bit more accessible than my WIkipedia prompt, which kind of went in the same direction."

i wish your wikipedia prompt got in, i really loved that one! but maybe mine is too similar. it slipped my mind that they are both 'random generator' related

[[deleted user]]

Pam wrote: "For the random word generator idea, the way I’ve seen it in other challenges is that you select a certain number (e.g. 10) and choose from that list. I like that idea. 1 choice is too limiting. I think many people will keep generating words until they find one they like."

thanks! do you mean, specify how many 'turns' you get using it? the website has categories that you can simplify if you'd like which i thought might make it good for KIS/BIO options. same with amount of turns. if you want to 'cheat' and keep generating until you get a word you like, i guess that could be a KIS option?

[[deleted user]]

Entropia wrote: "Pam wrote: "I like randomwordgenerator prompt. But then again I'm sort of person who uses random number generator to pick which book I would consider reading for a prompt. I would also totally vote for randomgenregenerator prompt if there is any ;) But yeah, there should be some restriction of number of tries."

thanks! i definitely love using number generators too. i use the app tiny decisions all the time to help me pick what to read next! do you have any suggestions on how to reword it?

[Sara]

I would feel compelled to take the first word generated, but the choice would be there. It could be made into a "too easy" prompt, but that would be the choice of the person, not of the prompt itself.

[Pam]

Annie- What I was referring to is the input box that asks for # of words. It defaults to 1 unless you change it.

[[deleted user]]

Pam wrote: "Annie- What I was referring to is the input box that asks for # of words. It defaults to 1 unless you change it."

omg, i honestly didn't even notice that box! i do love the idea of having ten words instead of 1. would using it be a good KIS option or do you think i should reword the prompt?

[[deleted user]]

Sara wrote: "I would feel compelled to take the first word generated, but the choice would be there. It could be made into a "too easy" prompt, but that would be the choice of the person, not of the prompt itself."

that was what i was thinking. i think there is a few options on the site that you could take advantage of, to make it easier or more challenging depending on what type of reader you are.

[Kat]

For a couple of prompts I've been having trouble with I've taken a look at the group spreadsheet to find out what others have chosen to read. There is such a mixture of books and I was wondering if it could be made into a prompt somehow but not sure about the wording or if it wouldn't be of interest to people who don't use the spreadsheet. What do you think?

Read a book that has been recorded on the 2021 ATY Community Spreadsheet

[Ellie]

Kat wrote: "For a couple of prompts I've been having trouble with I've taken a look at the group spreadsheet to find out what others have chosen to read. There is such a mixture of books and I was wondering if..."

I like this idea but I wouldn't limit it to 2021 as some people want to plan in advance. We could transfer this year's books into a listopia, so Emily can still retire the sheets.

[Aimee]

Ellie wrote: "Kat wrote: "For a couple of prompts I've been having trouble with I've taken a look at the group spreadsheet to find out what others have chosen to read. There is such a mixture of books and I was ..."

I agree with Ellie, I think it would be better to use books people read in 2020. But other than that, I love the idea!

[Jillian]

I have an idea for a genre prompt: "A book in a genre you would like to read more of"

I think this could work for those who want something that would push them to read books outside of their comfort zone and also work with those who want to read more of their favorite genre but the books don't always fit into challenge prompts.

[Kelly]

Since we have no genre categories yet (although I think there's one in this week's poll,) would there be any interest in just "a non-fiction book"? I know I like to read histories (and mountaineering books) but they are often difficult to fit into the challenge. It's a pretty basic prompt, but it could include biographies/autobiographies, essay collections, or even a cookbook in addition to more traditional forms of non-fiction. I know some of our group members might stick to fiction as a general rule, but if it's not your personal cup of tea there's a lot of keep it simple options.

[Nancy]

Narrative non-fiction makes that genre a lot more accessible, I know I'm more likely to read something in that genre if it's not as dry. Authors like Laura Hillenbrand and Erik Larson write narrative non-fiction. And there's always Mary Roach and her unusual style.

I would vote for non-fiction, fwiw.

[Jackie, Solstitial Mod]

I like nonfiction, so I would vote for it. Posting a bunch of lists of different kinds of nonfiction might help give people ideas.

[Pam]

I like nonfiction also so I would definitely vote for it. Here’s a list of 50 great narrative nonfiction books from Book Riot- https://www.google.com/amp/s/bookriot...

[dalex]

Jillian wrote: "I have an idea for a genre prompt: "A book in a genre you would like to read more of.”

I don’t understand. If I want to read a book from a particular genre, I will, so I don’t see how this is challenging? And if the genre is “outside my comfort zone” then I doubt I want “to read more of” that genre.

Can you explain or clarify or something, please?

[Entropia]

dalex wrote: "I don’t understand. If I want to read a book from a particular genre, I will, so I don’t see how this is challenging? And if the genre is “outside my comfort zone” then I doubt I want “to read more of” that genre."
I interpreted it in something along the lines of "oh, there's that cool genre I recently discovered, but read only 1 book of it so far, I wish to read more" or "there's this genre I always wanted to read more of, but I've been postponing it for ages".

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

It seems a little different from "A book in a genre you don't usually read". With "read more of", it could be interpreted as something you already like. Maybe that's where the KIS and BIO would come in.

I'm not thrilled about any prompt requiring a genre I know I don't like. I stopped doing the Book Riot challenge because I felt they were trying too hard to "educate" me in various genres and subjects that I didn't prefer. I don't think I will ever like horror, I don't care how many times I am offered it. If we had that prompt, I would get around it by reading a classic from the 19th century (Dracula? I have read Frankenstein), or I would find something that is sometimes considered horror (like Neil Gaiman) but at this point I am not going to fall in love with a new genre. True crime is even worse, I can't understand why anyone would want to know more about murderers. I guess for that I would read about a heist or financial misdealing instead.

I wouldn't say I have narrow tastes, as I already read literary fiction, popular fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, mystery, historical, nonfiction about history, women's issues, psychology, education, politics. I am happy there are a few genres and types (like short stories) that I am not drawn to, as I have way too many TBR already.

[Sara]

I would vote for the non-fiction prompt. I like NF but usually find at the end of the year that I have read only a few books in that genre.

I'm sorry, but I would not vote for the "read more of" prompt. It seems to me to be a freebie. I could read anything and justify it.

[Ellie]

Robin, I had a similar opinion of true crime until a challenge made me look further into it and there are lots of non-violent true crime books that are quite fascinating. I guess that's why I like genre prompts, even though I read quite widely I do have preconceptions still and they can be wrong.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Ellie wrote: "Robin, I had a similar opinion of true crime until a challenge made me look further into it and there are lots of non-violent true crime books that are quite fascinating. I guess that's why I like ..."

Good point, I was thinking of serial killers, which I avoid in fiction also! I guess those are the ones that get the most press attention.

[Nancy]

American Fire is a good example of true crime that's not about serial killers, it's about a couple who were setting fires in a small town in the south.

[Irene]

Do you guys think "Read a novella" would fall into the genre category? Would there be any interest in that?

[Avery]

It definitely would, novella was suggested in poll 6 but was a neutral result!

Non fiction is a bit broad to me.. I wouldn’t down or up vote it. I find autobiographies and memoirs a bit limiting though, so what about something along the lines of a non-fiction that is NOT about a specific person? It would just push you to read outside of biographies or memoirs. Does anyone have a good way to phrase this?

“Read a topical non-fiction”
“Read a non-fiction about a topic (not a person)”
“Read a non-fiction that is not about a specific person”

It could be just a general reference book, technology, history, science, comedy, self-help, how-to, cookbook, travel book, etc.

I remember last year someone suggested reading a non-fiction about something you see every day which was intriguing.

[Jillian]

dalex wrote: "Jillian wrote: "I have an idea for a genre prompt: "A book in a genre you would like to read more of.”

I don’t understand. If I want to read a book from a particular genre, I will, so I don’t see ..."

Some genres fit challenge prompts better than others. I often find it hard to fit some of my fantasy novels in any prompt. I read more than 52 books in a year so for me having side reads is fine. Not everyone can read more than 52 prompts in a year and this would allow them a place for their favorite genre. Then there are those who want to challenge to push them. I personally, don't fit this category, I'm like you if I want to read a genre I will read it. I do read about other members posting about how they did not like graphic novels until I read one for a challenge (I have seen this with several genres) now they want to read more. This would give them the option to branch. Some other genres people tend to want to push themselves to read are classics, non-fiction, literary fiction.

We all have different goals and likes with books. Plus, I'm tired of having genres I don't like in challenges. I might want to read a Western which I rarely read but just because I feel the need to push myself to read a western does not mean the rest of the group also needs the challenge of reading a western. Some might need to push themselves to read a non-fiction others classics, etc.

[dalex]

Irene wrote: "Do you guys think "Read a novella" would fall into the genre category?”

No. A novella is defined by the word count and/or the number of pages. Novellas can be any genre.

[dalex]

Thank you, Jillian, for the detailed explanation about your prompt idea. I can’t say I fully understand, though. It’s probably just me. :)

[Martha]

I'd love to see more genres submitted but I won't suffer if I don't see more. I belong to another group that has a genre Bingo as well as a saturated genre challenge (read as many books in a specific genre as you would like). That said, I don't consider a challenge complete without at least some genre prompts.

I like the idea of nonfiction excluding biography/memoir, Avery. I think I prefer the wording of the third suggestion.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

While dalex is absolutely right about novellas being defined by the number of pages, we would probably still classify it as a genre prompt, just because we would also probably put short stories/poetry/anthologies as a genre prompt... it's a style of book, in its briefness, even if it is sci-fi or realistic or historical or whatever.

[Jillian]

dalex wrote: "Thank you, Jillian, for the detailed explanation about your prompt idea. I can’t say I fully understand, though. It’s probably just me. :)"

I don’t always full understand myself.

[Khara]

Just adding my two cents on the "A book in a genre you would like to read more of" for how I took it because surely I'm not the only one. My brain instantly went to biographies because I always think to myself "I really should read more of those." I end up kind of gravitating mostly towards fiction, fantasy, and classics if left totally to my own devices BUT I love history so I usually actually enjoy biographies when I read them. I just tend to need a nudge for whatever reason. I suspect I'm still unlearning the stereotype that biographies/non fiction are/is boring that got into my head somehow.

Or I recently have realized I have more of an interest in reading horror because now that I am older I have a better grasp on my overactive imagination. Now I'm kind of curious to dig in to that genre more. I might need a push there mostly because most people I know don't read the genre and would have to go out of my way more to get a book for it.

Interestingly though I wouldn't pick either of those options for a "book outside my comfort zone" prompt and wouldn't be inclined to vote for something in that vein. I don't really consider books outside my comfort zone unless they are about a topic I find genuinely upsetting or triggering in some way past a way I can handle. I don't find being challenged in my reading "uncomfortable". I always struggle to come up with something I would actually read for that type of prompt.

Alternatively if it's "pick a book that is a challenge" I tend to pick something that is really long or known to be difficult to understand. I would also consider topics I find challenging to think about but could still cope with reading about them.

So yeah even though I think those prompts can be seen as similar the wording drastically changes what I would pick. I personally like the idea of "a genre you would like to read more of" but also 100% get why people see it as a freebie or don't like it for a lot of the reasons discussed.

[[deleted user]]

100% agree with you khara! i would pick different books for each of those prompts due to the wording too.

i'm not a big of reading outside of my comfort zone. i think it's good to challenge yourself to try new genres & subgenres- for example, i realised i adore short works & adult space operas this year when i would have said otherwise last year - but reading about a topic that is triggering or genuinely uncomfortable to read about (in a bad way) is no fun and i wouldn't vote for a prompt like that.

[Juliet]

Khara wrote: "Just adding my two cents on the "A book in a genre you would like to read more of" for how I took it because surely I'm not the only one. "

I agree with Khara here, this last year I discovered magical realism big time and and still in a place where I am digging into the 'Big' titles in the genre. I'm old enough that I didn't encounter Isabel Allende orGabriel García Márquez in an academic setting so it's something I'm trying to make time to dig into on my own

[Irene]

Avery wrote: "It definitely would, novella was suggested in poll 6 but was a neutral result!

Non fiction is a bit broad to me.. I wouldn’t down or up vote it. I find autobiographies and memoirs a bit limiting ..."

I really like "Read a non-fiction that is not about a specific person" because as you said, I would take that to mean no biographies/memoirs, so I feel like I could still read true crime books or books about cases/people in general since they don't just focus on one person.

[Ellie]

Khara wrote: "Or I recently have realized I have more of an interest in reading horror because now that I am older I have a better grasp on my overactive imagination. Now I'm kind of curious to dig in to that genre more. I might need a push there mostly because most people I know don't read the genre and would have to go out of my way more to get a book for it..."

I would quite like a prompt that lends itself to horror but doesn't require someone to read a horror book as I know a lot of people don't want to. Maybe a book about a scary subject or related to fear.

[Pam]

Ellie- How about a book with an element of fear?

WRT the non-fiction discussion, it’s been so hard to get non-fiction through as a prompt that I’m not sure limiting options (like memoirs) is going to help. I would like “non-fiction that relates to something that brings you joy”. It could be history (or memoir) tied to a book/author or movie/actor that you enjoy or an experience such as a trip, a hobby, sports, a type of relationship (romantic, friendship, family), etc. The qualifier may not be needed but I like it because it encourages us to think about the things we enjoy in life.

[Khara]

Glad I'm not the only one who took the prompt idea that way! :)

Ellie, totally agree I would like to see something like that. Particularly balanced in such a way people have options since it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea!

Pam, I like that suggestion because it is flexible enough to allow other genres for those that really don't like horror.

[Kim]

Ellie wrote: "I would quite like a prompt that lends itself to horror but doesn't require someone to read a horror book as I know a lot of people don't want to. Maybe a book about a scary subject or related to fear."

I am having a lot of trouble with the summer prompt about a thriller. I find I can't read thrillers/horror books any longer.

[°~Amy~°]

Pam wrote: "I would like “non-fiction that relates to something that brings you joy”...."

Oh boy. I read that and glanced up at my nonfiction tbr shelf (50+ books) and I see a LOT of death, disasters and trauma, oh and a microhistory of Milk. I might have some trouble finding one that brings me joy lol

Side note, for those who dislike non-fiction, I would recommend a graphic memoir. I have read several that were really great, such as They Called Us Enemy, Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me or The Best We Could Do.

[dalex]

What about “a non-fiction book about an interesting person”? That would cover memoirs, autobiographies, biographies, true crime, etc. And would include different formats like narrative non-fiction, graphic novel type memoirs, etc.

It could even possibly be expanded to “...or that helps you become a more interesting person” to include self-help books or books about hobbies or travel or whatever.

[Khara]

Hm, now I'm sitting here thinking of prompts that could be related to horror in some way. It's a shame that I am pretty sure dressing up and going trick or treating is probably more of an American tradition and not an especially global tradition. I could be completely wrong on that.

I had the thought for something along the lines of "Read something related to a Halloween costume you have worn." Maybe could be expanded to "have worn or would like to wear if you celebrated"?

Could be spooky, but might not be!

[Pam]

Amy- I thought about the fact that a lot of non-fiction is about war and crime, not topics we associate with positive emotions! But, you could argue that learning about history brings you joy. My daughter loves true crime TV shows. A book on true crime ties into her fascination with these shows. Your joy could be your interest in a topic

[°~Amy~°]

Pam wrote: "Amy- I thought about the fact that a lot of non-fiction is about war and crime, not topics we associate with positive emotions! But, you could argue that learning about history brings you joy. My d..."

A friend and I just had this exact conversation! I am currently reading Lucy: the beginnings of humankind and it isnt exactly joyful but it does make me happy reading it so, close enough?

[Jill]

I would have thought that most of the results we have had so far, could be filled by a non-fiction book.