Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2021] The Wild Discussion
I would really like the story element you would like to see more often, if the other version doesn't get in.
I like the book that avoids common tropes. I've found that easier than coming up with a trope I love. The story element I wish there was more of is a female protagonist with a male best friend who isn't in love with her.
Since my early teens my best friend has been a guy and everyone always thought we were dating. It's incredibly annoying and I hate the idea that you can't be friends with a member of the opposite sex without romance being involved.
I have also had very good male friends through my life, without any involvement. But, your comment made me think of one of my favorite movies, When Harry Met Sally.
I'm not sure if I'll be awake in time for the suggestion poll tomorrow, and I have a feeling it may fill up fast. Would someone mind suggesting my prompt for me?"A book with a non-binary/trans/+ author or character"
I was considering suggesting the following prompt:Support Local - An author from your area (town, state, country). Bonus points if you purchased the book from a local bookstore.
Thoughts?
Meghan wrote: "I was considering suggesting the following prompt:Support Local - An author from your area (town, state, country). Bonus points if you purchased the book from a local bookstore.
Thoughts?"
I have a copy of my friend's book to read, so this would be perfect for me. I'd vote for it.
Sorry, local author is an instant downvote for me, I've done it before and I have so few options. I mean I can cope if it gets in, but it can be a difficult prompt for some people, while others have a wealth of literary talent on their doorstep.
I wouldn't mind local author as my neighbour is an author and very close
A local author would be a down vote for me. It is too limited for me for town or state. Then if it was opened up to county is way too broad.
If it's expanded beyond hometown (or even current town) it's more doable for me. There are a bazillion authors from my state, but only a couple that are local that I know of.
What if I reworded it to:Support Local - An author from your area (town, state, country). and/or a book purchased from a local bookstore.
Angie wrote: "Meghan wrote: "I was considering suggesting the following prompt:Support Local - An author from your area (town, state, country). Bonus points if you purchased the book from a local bookstore.
T..."
Something like this gets nominated every year and it doesn't ever do very well in the voting. There seems to be a big aversion to local authors. Even worded this way to include country probably won't be popular with those in the US/UK. It's kind of a freebie for those countries.
Authors who are actually local to me tend to be terrible. Authors who are professors at the local university are fine, but they feel like cheating, not truly "local." For example: Nabokov taught at Syracuse University for a while - is he a "local author"? Doesn't feel like it. Authors from NYC are fine, and that's the same state I live in, but it's hundreds of miles away, so does it even count as "local" at that point?
Meghan wrote: "What if I reworded it to:Support Local - An author from your area (town, state, country). and/or a book purchased from a local bookstore."
I agree that country is too broad. Also I don't buy books other than Kindle editions and those are few and far between. I access most of the books I read from the state's electronic library.
Maybe instead try something like Support Local: a book related to a local business or industry? I live in a small town, but we have a coffee shop named Steel Rails with a railroad theme, a food truck called Noli, and two relatively large farms that specialize in tomatoes and strawberries, a homemade ice-cream/produce stand. I could get very creative with this option.
I want to clarify, it's not like I don't like local authors, there just aren't many! One of them has had writers block for years and I'm waiting for her final book to come out but year after year the publishing date gets pushed. She's like an unfamous GRR Martin.
Meghan wrote: "What if I reworded it to:Support Local - An author from your area (town, state, country). and/or a book purchased from a local bookstore."
I suggest rewording to say local or regional author, which gives more options. In the US, this could be New England, Southwest, Midwest, etc. For members in a small country, regional could include surrounding countries.
Meghan wrote: "I was considering suggesting the following prompt:Support Local - An author from your area (town, state, country). Bonus points if you purchased the book from a local bookstore.
Thoughts?"
A lot of people don't like personal prompts so anything remotely personal usually doesn't make the list.
I am thinking about the mental health prompt again. Which of these appeal most to you guys?1. Read a book with a mental health/mental illness component
2. Read a book with a character that struggles with a mental illness
3. Read a book related to mental illness
I most like a book related to mental health. I don't really like the struggle wording, I think that rules out the possibility of reading about people coping. I suffer from anxiety and I don't feel like I am permanently ill.
Alicia wrote: "I'm not sure if I'll be awake in time for the suggestion poll tomorrow, and I have a feeling it may fill up fast. Would someone mind suggesting my prompt for me?"A book with a non-binary/trans/+ ..."
I love this prompt and seconded it the first time. It looks like it will be the afternoon where I am so should be able to suggest it.
°~Amy~° wrote: "I am thinking about the mental health prompt again. Which of these appeal most to you guys?1. Read a book with a mental health/mental illness component
2. Read a book with a character that strug..."
I agree, I like "related to mental health" best as well. I would interpret that to mean that a major theme of the book should be about mental health, as opposed to "character who struggles with mental illness," which could just be a book with a side character who fits, or where a main character's mental illness isn't crucial to the story. It would also open up the prompt to nonfiction books about mental illness that don't follow specific characters.
Honestly Nathan Filer's non fiction book about schizophrenia was so far from what's presented in media, I want everyone to read it. He changed the name of it recently which is a bit confusing but it was The Heartland: Finding and Losing Schizophrenia when I read it.
Thanks Kat! Amy, I also prefer the mental health route. I think it's still clear but puts it in more of a positive light and can encompass self-help books as well.
Meghan, I think if the prompt is phrased as "Support Local - An author from your area (town, state, country) and/or a book purchased from a local bookstore" it's combining two separate prompts. I can purchase a book from my local bookstore that is from an author in Japan and set in Japan, but I live in California.
I would prefer "region" because there is only one book about my hometown (and it's terrible), but CA and USA are too broad. Where if I could do West, I could read a western, a book about Indigenous people, or an author from NV, AZ, NM. I would downvote purchasing from a local bookstore, because I think it excludes a large portion of members that may read exclusively ebooks. I have a friend that probably hasn't picked up a physical book in years. I don't know what he would do lol.
I could get behind "read a book by an author from your region." Does that work for the people who don't have many local authors? You could expand region to be country or even part of the world if that works better.Alicia the idea of the local bookstore is to support a local business, not necessarily an author. But I too very rarely buy books, it would have to be something I really want and plan to keep.
I kind of like the local bookstore option, but I also remember living in a small town where the only books I could have bought would have been Harlequin romances from the local card store.
Mod
I'm thinking of suggesting: a book that you got secondhand, checked out from the library, or borrowed from a friend.Thoughts?
I’m think right now it may be hard for some people to borrow books. Covid is such a fluid situation that it might be impossible for some people to get physical books from the library. I borrow a ton of digital books but I know some people prefer physical copies.
I was talking to someone about local book stores recently and realised I don't actually know where to find one that isn't Waterstones (which IMO defeats the idea of supporting local business) As much as I like the idea of supporting local its not possible for everyone. I very rarely buy new books either and almost everything I read comes from the library or overdrive.
Personally, I would downvote a local author prompt, even if it was expanded a bit more to my "region" which I guess would be my province? I'm Canadian. It's partly because it's a prompt I've seen many times before, and I'm never excited for it. I'm also unlikely to vote for anything that requires me to buy a book. I'm lucky enough to be able to buy books without much problem, but I don't think it would be the most accessible or fair for everyone, especially if the pandemic is ongoing and things might close down again. The same goes for borrowing -- I have a prompt this year asking me to borrow a book from a friend, but I've had to change it to borrowing one from my mom instead since we're in the same house. I guess it's possible to borrow an ebook or audiobook from the library, but that feels like a freebie if you have access to a good library.
I like a mental health prompt, but I'd stay away from the "struggles with" wording. I think a book involving (or related to?) mental health/mental illness would be a good way to word it.
I'm thinking the mental health/ illness may be too much like this year's neurodiverse character for many people.
I’m certainly not an expert in the subject, but doesn’t Neurodiversity focus more on neurological developmental disorders and/or disabilities, such as Autism, Tourette’s, mental disabilities. Versus mental health focuses more on depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder. More of a focus on emotional and psychological well being.
I don't like prompts that dictate how I get a book in general so I would down vote anything in that realm. I also have done mental health related prompts in so many challenges that its just not exciting to me. I would probably not vote either way on that.
Alicia wrote: "I’m certainly not an expert in the subject, but doesn’t Neurodiversity focus more on neurological developmental disorders and/or disabilities, such as Autism, Tourette’s, mental disabilities. "
it's one of those 'all elephants are grey, but not all grey things are elephants' situations. neurodiversity covers both mental illnesses & neurological/developmental disabilities but mental health tends to be exclusive to mental illness.
it's one of those 'all elephants are grey, but not all grey things are elephants' situations. neurodiversity covers both mental illnesses & neurological/developmental disabilities but mental health tends to be exclusive to mental illness.
i wouldn't vote for a prompt that limited how you could acquire the books you're reading for accessibility reasons (like everyone has said!) but i do love the idea of focusing on supporting local businesses or your community. maybe that could be turned into a prompt somehow??
What about a prompt like Read a book that reminds of your favorite small/local business.
Chelsey wrote: "What about a prompt like
Read a book that reminds of your favorite small/local business."
or maybe "related to"? i like that! because you could read about a bookstore (lots of options) or a book with a bookish/author mc. or if you have a favourite local cafe, there are plenty of books with mcs who are baristas, romances where the meet cute is in a cafe or even a nonfiction about the history of coffee or something, lots of options!
Read a book that reminds of your favorite small/local business."
or maybe "related to"? i like that! because you could read about a bookstore (lots of options) or a book with a bookish/author mc. or if you have a favourite local cafe, there are plenty of books with mcs who are baristas, romances where the meet cute is in a cafe or even a nonfiction about the history of coffee or something, lots of options!
Including 'favourite' always seems to put people off for some reason and does seem quite limiting. I'm not even sure what my favourite local business is as I support lots of different businesses. How about 'read a book related to a local business or industry'
That would you allow you to focus on a specific business but also local history. I come from a mill and mining area which would be fun to research.
Kat wrote: "Including 'favourite' always seems to put people off for some reason and does seem quite limiting. I'm not even sure what my favourite local business is as I support lots of different businesses. ..."
I like this adjustment! I'm one of the ones that feels limited by the word 'favorite' because, silly as it might seem, I get so stuck on "is that my FAVORITE favorite or just one of many I like? is there something I like more that's REALLY my favorite?" My brain is goofy that way, lol. But opening it up like this made me think immediately of the sugar beet company that was most of the tiny town I live in for decades, the nearby rancho and its long history, the shipping history of this area slightly bigger than just my town... but could still easily be used to mean related to a current (and beloved) local business, like a book about baristas being related to your much loved little coffee shop.
That's a great adjustment. I guess favorite doesn't bother me so I always think that route but the adjusted prompt is one I would love to see. Maybe someone can nominate it today,
Kat wrote: "How about 'read a book related to a local business or industry"
i like that adjustment!
Roxana wrote: "I get so stuck on "is that my FAVORITE favorite or just one of many I like? is there something I like more that's REALLY my favorite?" My brain is goofy that way, lol. "
omg, i actually relate to this a lot! it's like i'm worried someone will somehow 'fact check' my list and if it's not my true favourite, just something i really like or one of of my favourites, i'll be 'cheating' haha
i like that adjustment!
Roxana wrote: "I get so stuck on "is that my FAVORITE favorite or just one of many I like? is there something I like more that's REALLY my favorite?" My brain is goofy that way, lol. "
omg, i actually relate to this a lot! it's like i'm worried someone will somehow 'fact check' my list and if it's not my true favourite, just something i really like or one of of my favourites, i'll be 'cheating' haha
I haven’t entirely given up on nominating a book connected to song lyrics though I can understand that my first attempt ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It’, which was polarising, may not have been right for the times. I then wondered about The Beatles’ ‘A Day in the Life’, not least because I could read something related to genealogy for Blackburn Lancashire, but I recall that a book related to The Beatles failed to get in previously.So now I’m wondering about going to the other extreme and suggesting a book inspired by ‘My Favourite Things’ from The Sound of Music (https://genius.com/Julie-andrews-my-f...). Not that I have a book in mind for raindrops, roses, whiskers or kittens...although Gertrude Jekyll is Britain’s favourite rose and there is plenty written by and about her...
Any thoughts?
Mod
Joyce, I like that idea a lot! Normally I vote against song/musician ones because I’ve never heard of or don’t like them usually, but that is one song I have both heard of and like!
Joyce- I like the idea! There is so much imagery in the song to choose from.
That would be a fun song to find books for, Joyce.
Joyce wrote: "I haven’t entirely given up on nominating a book connected to song lyrics though I can understand that my first attempt ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It’, which was polarising, may not have..."I like this one. Lots of imagery to work with.
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Around the Year in 52 Books
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Those are great suggestions, Conny. Maybe I will suggest this later if the original trope prompt doesn't make it. And I thought of another trope you rarely see:
A book with an elderly character that doesn't die at the end