Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2022] Wild Discussion
I love prompts that have to do with the author, title and cover. Those are probably my favorite prompts. I do like some of the prompts that nudge me to read something I've been meaning to but that I keep putting off. I find the first half of the year I'm flying through the prompts but then the second half of the year are some of the prompts I wasn't so excited about or the books I've matched to the prompts are no longer appealing. I'm kinda in that place now. Some of the award prompts I'm not too fond of but actually this year the one I read for that prompt was a complete surprise and I loved it.
I'm definitely a mood reader.
Raquel wrote: "The discussion over in PrePoll Voting got me thinking about what I look for in a prompt, and from this reading challenge in general. I wasn't sure if it would be off topic over there, so I'm moving..."I like a variety of prompts:
-genre prompts (they help me diversify my reading)
-character prompts (though they can sometimes be challenging to research if avoiding spoilers)
-setting prompts
-prompts that make me think/research a bit
-author prompts can be fun
-theme prompts (those that are narrow enough to be a challenge but not so restrictive that the list of books is super-small)
Prompts I don't like as much:
-I don't like too many "gimme" prompts. One or two is good, but too many, and it's not that much of a challenge.
-cover prompts - I know many like them, but they just don't appeal to me.
-"book recommended by a friend" - I read more than most of my friends, so they never know what to suggest that I haven't read.
Overall, though, I like to see a variety of prompts. Some like title and cover prompts, some like genre/subgenre prompts, some like format prompts, some like list prompts, etc. A mix of prompts is the fairest way to give everyone something that appeals to them or excites them, even if there are some prompts they don't like as well.
I just realized, after reading through the comments, that Thomas’ original post was no letter E in the title AND the author’s name. For me, that’s too restrictive but I’m ok with it being one or the other. The 5 vowel idea is good, too! I was thinking of a title prompt which includes a specific language (e.g. English, French…). I don’t know how hard that would be but I’m reading The Turkish Gambit, which gave me the idea. I would really like a non-fiction prompt but not too limiting! Another idea - author’s initials are consecutive ascending or descending (e.g. AB, CB…).
So far I've read 167 books this year and only 4 didn't have an e in the title and author. I'm sure I could find something but it would be a bit restrictive. I like the consecutive initials idea. 5 vowels in the authors name would be a fun scavenger hunt as well.
Pam wrote: "I just realized, after reading through the comments, that Thomas’ original post was no letter E in the title AND the author’s name. For me, that’s too restrictive but I’m ok with it being one or th..."Oh, that's a unique idea for a prompt! Maybe including a language/nationality in the title? I can think of quite a few options off the top of my head: The English Patient, American Gods, An American Marriage, American Dirt, American Born Chinese, Norwegian Wood, Mexican Gothic, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter...
Mod
I like language/nationality in the title! A couple of other ideas I've had for title prompts -
With a possessive or contraction, e.g. The Queen's Gambit or What's Mine and Yours
A full name in the title, e.g. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (this could work for both fic and non-fic)
One of the four cardinal directions in the title (east, west, north, south)
An author one I thought of is an author with 3 names, e.g. Taylor Jenkins Reid or Mary Alice Monroe.
I think that a recommended by someone is covered with the ATY book of the month. That being said recommend by friend/family is not something that interesting me so I think one recommended by someone is more than enough.
Nancy wrote: "I like language/nationality in the title! A couple of other ideas I've had for title prompts -
With a possessive or contraction, e.g. The Queen's Gambit or What's Mine and Yours
A full name in t..."
The cardinal direction prompt would work nicely as a multi-week prompt.
Robin P wrote: "On the "recommended by a friend", which I also struggle with in my offline life, I would just use something that a member of this group, or another GR friend, gave a high rating to, to me it doesn'..."It certianly wouldn't get my vote. The librian one is wrose, not eevryone has a librian
Jillian wrote: "I think that a recommended by someone is covered with the ATY book of the month. That being said recommend by friend/family is not something that interesting me so I think one recommended by someon..."Agreed, the book of the motn thread cvoers that idea.
Also if I said no e in title or authros anme that was a msitake. I only emant to say no e in title. Althoguh I am proably not proposing it now anyway.
Don't not propose it because of me! If it's just the title, that's a lot more doable. And not everyone has the same opinion I do about the prompts being related to the challenge. I don't even know if I always feel that way.
T. wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I like language/nationality in the title! A couple of other ideas I've had for title prompts -
With a possessive or contraction, e.g. The Queen's Gambit or What's Mine and Yours
A ..."
I really like the idea of N,S,E,W as a multi-week prompt, although it would take up four spaces which means some people might not go for it. Maybe we could include authors as well as titles, e.g. Anna North, Kasie West?
Hannah wrote: "Pam wrote: "I just realized, after reading through the comments, that Thomas’ original post was no letter E in the title AND the author’s name. For me, that’s too restrictive but I’m ok with it bei..."I like the nationality/language idea too, lots of options and it would make for a fun scavenger hunt in my TBR without being too much of a freebie.
I ended up not like the N, S, W, and E multi week prompt when we had it a few years ago even though I voted for it. I think someone else mentioned it in this thread so there is some interested in having it again but for me it would be a down vote.Edit: I think, I’m thinking of a different groups challenge with this prompt.
Mod
A couple of other ideas I've had for title prompts -
With a possessive or contraction, e.g. The Queen's Gambit or What's Mine and Yours
A full name in t..."
the apostrophe could be an issue in other languages that don't use one (though of course all our members also speak English and could use the English title if they want to.) But possessive would still work.
Aimee wrote: "T. wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I like language/nationality in the title! A couple of other ideas I've had for title prompts -
With a possessive or contraction, e.g. The Queen's Gambit or What's Mine a..."
I don’t think it would necessarily be hard to get in just because it would take up four weeks. In 2018 we had the four elements (earth, fire, water, air), and in 2019 we had the wedding rhyme (old, new, borrowed, blue). I also thought we had done the north, south, east, west before like Jillian mentioned, but I didn’t see it listed in previous challenges. Maybe I just missed it. 🤷♀️
I think if it was left open, where you could use the words in the title, words in the author’s name, or books set in the east/west/south/north, or somehow related to them, it would be easier than just a book set in those places OR a book with one of those words in the title, etc. Although someone who wants a BIO option could specify to themselves only one of those to narrow down their options.
Based on some interesting things Google tells me happened in 1922:* First midair collision of commercial airliner: a book about a plane crash
* US Railway workers strike: a book in which trains or railroads are a prominent element
*First use of insulin in treatment of diabetes: a book with a diabetic character
*First female special agent appointed to the FBI: a book where the main character is a female detective/private eye or police officer
I've never tried to think up or suggest a prompt before, so please give me feedback.
I was wondering about a book connected to a body part. We had it back in 2018 but that would be 4 years ago now.. It can cover a lot of options, romance, death , medical, and lots more
I also like the language/nationality in the title. I did a quick scroll through my Kindle titles and found a few (not many), but I know I have more in my physical stacks, as well as library options. I like all those that you listed, too, Lindsey! I would vote for any of them, although I do think the diabetic one might be too specific if you said “with a diabetic character.” Maybe just somehow related to diabetes? I’m not sure the best way to phrase it, but something that would open it up more. That would open it up to not only fictional characters with diabetes, as well as real people with diabetes, and also more scientific books about medicine/health issues, or I know some people even read & count cookbooks toward their challenge, and they could read a cookbook for diabetics.
I really like the nationality in the title idea but surprisingly didn't find anything that fits in my TBR so probably would not vote for it purely for that reason.I also like the 5 vowels suggestion.
I know title prompts arent everyone's thing. but what do we think of "an alliterative title'? Like White is for Witching, A Study in Scarlet or Pride and Prejudice
Mod
* First midair collision of commercial airliner: a book about a plane crash
* US Railway workers strike: a book in which trains ..."
I like the idea of bringing in these historic incidents. These are interesting but I think they would go over better if they were expanded, for example instead of a plane crash, an accident or a life-threatening incident, or for diabetic, a chronic illness/condition. Also, you can't always tell before reading a book if there is a plane crash, train ride, diabetic character, etc. That doesn't bother me, as I like to find the books by serendipity sometimes, but some people like to plan everything out.
Juliet Brown wrote: "I know title prompts arent everyone's thing. but what do we think of "an alliterative title'? Like White is for Witching, A Study in Scarlet or [book:Pride and Prejudic..."I know I've done it before but I still like it, it's the right amount of choice and specificity for me.
Nicole wrote: "I also like the language/nationality in the title. I did a quick scroll through my Kindle titles and found a few (not many), but I know I have more in my physical stacks, as well as library options..."Thank you! These are great suggestions for how to open it up more!
Juliet Brown wrote: "I know title prompts arent everyone's thing. but what do we think of "an alliterative title'? Like White is for Witching, A Study in Scarlet or [book:Pride and Prejudic..."I like this prompt and would vote for it. I generally like the ones that send me on a hunt through my TBR because I almost always find something (usually something that I've forgotten I had on my list and wouldn't have read otherwise), or I get ideas for other prompts in the challenge as well.
Nicole wrote: "I think if it was left open, where you could use the words in the title, words in the author’s name, or books set in the east/west/south/north, or somehow related to them, it would be easier than just a book set in those places OR a book with one of those words in the title, etc. Although someone who wants a BIO option could specify to themselves only one of those to narrow down their options."I think I would limit it to in the title or author's name. "Set in" could just be "read a book" since pretty much every book will be set in one of those directions.
I wasn't thinking of it as a multi-week prompt but I do like that idea. If it is suggested then, and ends up in the bottom, could it be suggested again as a single week? If I did it as a multi-week I probably would use "related to" just to give more options. It becomes more limited when it's just "north" for example.
As for the diabetes one, I do think "related to" would be better than a diabetic character as there are a lot of ways to go with that.
What about combining the plane and train ones into planes, trains, and automobiles? It could be a cover prompt, or just related to one of those things. We have "related to travel" this year though so maybe it's too close.
Hannah wrote: "Pam wrote: "I just realized, after reading through the comments, that Thomas’ original post was no letter E in the title AND the author’s name. For me, that’s too restrictive but I’m ok with it bei..."I love the idea of prompts involving names of countries or nationalities - or other words involving ethnicity, religion, tribes, etc.
Lindsey wrote: "Based on some interesting things Google tells me happened in 1922:* First midair collision of commercial airliner: a book about a plane crash
* US Railway workers strike: a book in which trains ..."
I like this approach. I agree that there might not be enough books about plane crashes - though I highly recommend Dear Edward. So maybe we can broaden it to include books about air travel, transportation accidents, or transportation delays. Or combine two of the 1922 events to include books about trains or planes.
Or - Books related to the movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. That might give people flexibility to get really creative.
NancyJ - great minds think alike. Must be the name! :)
Lindsey wrote: "Based on some interesting things Google tells me happened in 1922:* First midair collision of commercial airliner: a book about a plane crash
* US Railway workers strike: a book in which trains ..."
I really like female detective. Not sos ure about diabetic. Not always easy to find.
Nancy wrote: "Don't not propose it because of me! If it's just the title, that's a lot more doable. And not everyone has the same opinion I do about the prompts being related to the challenge. I don't even know ..."It wasn't jsut you. Just looking at again it seemd to hard
I would love a prompt that was something like “in honor of the hundredth anniversary of first treating diabetes with insulin, read a book connected to that treatment “. Awkward wording, but along the lines what we have for Grand Egyptian Museum this year. That way it would include anything related to diabetes, and also medical firsts in general, without making it too generic. (I have more than one friend with T1diabetes so personally love the idea of keeping it directly connected in the prompt.)
I love the idea of a prompt with a language or nationality!What about a prompt where you read a book written by an author (or featuring a main character) who is a different religion than you? This could easily include fiction & non-fiction, and doesn't actually have to be focused on religion but more about getting a new perspective. I loved Ayesha at Last this year as a Muslim retelling of Pride & Prejudice, for example.
Could Northern or Southern Hemisphere be used for North or South?
I don't see why not. If it's related to one of the four directions, then those would count. If it's in the title, they still would count.
Raquel wrote: "I would love a prompt that was something like “in honor of the hundredth anniversary of first treating diabetes with insulin, read a book connected to that treatment “. Awkward wording, but along t..."What about "Read a book related to the discovery of insulin in celebration of its 100th year"
This would open it up to non fiction and fiction. There are children's books about Banting and Best as well.
NancyJ wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Based on some interesting things Google tells me happened in 1922:* First midair collision of commercial airliner: a book about a plane crash
* US Railway workers strike: a book ..."
I originally thought of using Trains, Planes and Automobiles in a multi week prompt. Although it included boats as well. Linking it to the movie would be fun.
Book lists with characters who have diabeteshttps://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
http://www.t1dliving.com/books-with-d...
https://www.listchallenges.com/books-...
I really like the idea of Trains, Planes, and Automobiles for the multi-week. I’d need some ideas for diabetes books because right now all I can think of is The Babysitter’s Club books. I have extreme anxiety with anything medical so there are very few books books that I can read with that topic.
Yeah these lists don’t make the choices look very extensive
Thomas wrote: "Yeah these lists don’t make the choices look very extensive"It was a quick google search, so maybe someone else will find some more extensive lists.
Anastasia wrote: "What about "Read a book related to the discovery of insulin in celebration of its 100th year" ..."I think that wording looks great.
I know quite a few people who have diabetes, but I don't think I've ever read a book with a character who has diabetes.
Lindsey wrote: "Based on some interesting things Google tells me happened in 1922 ... * US Railway workers strike ..."
This could also be a book about labor unions and/or labor laws, or about the building of the transcontinental railroad.
Just thought as 22 is V. Something connected to Victorian times
Essentially anything set or written between 1837 and 1901
Looking at just two of my 30 some odd shelves of physical tbr books, no e in the title or author came up 5 times in just 2 shelves. I would vote for it. All the vowels in the title came up 0 times across several shelves. I wouldn't vote for it just because I am reading off my current tbr next year.
Anything related to insulin, 0 times in my full collection even in my nonfiction hoard. Unfortunately, at the moment it would not work for me personally.
Plane crash was a maybe if any of my dystopia books included an EMP attack but even then it wouldn't be a main focus of any of my books. Depending on what else was suggested, I may or may not vote for that.
Language/nationality did have a few options on my around the world challenge. I am conflicted about how I might vote for that one. I lean toward upvote, but again, it depends on what else is nominated.
Someone mentioned a Disney prompt earlier, I would want to see the final wording but it sounds like a pretty sure up vote at the moment.
I can't wait to see what actually gets submitted for the first poll. It should be interesting. 😊
Mod
Hi everyone! I decided to rephrase the Twilight Zone prompt I suggested a few weeks ago to make it less specific to the episode "Twenty Two" (it's free online for anyone who's interested in watching it!) What do you all think? Hopefully it feels more doable now, while still making the connection to the year 2022:In honor of the classic second season episode, "Twenty Two," read a book related to The Twilight Zone.
This means it can be a book related to any revival of the Twilight Zone, which opens it up to, for example, reading any book related to Stephen Spielberg since he directed the 1983 Twilight Zone movie!
The options I listed the first time around that are related directly to the episode would still work:
- A book related to a hospital/healthcare/illness/doctors/nurses/etc
- A book related to entertainment because the main character is a professional dancer
- A book related to airplanes/airports
- A book related to dreaming or nightmares
- A book related to premonitions
- A book where something keeps repeating
- A book considered not an author's best: this episode was one of just 6 filmed on a cheaper type of tape as a cost-saving experiment, and is therefore considered inferior, visually to the other episodes
- A second book in a series, as this episode was from Season 2
And then there could be options that relate to The Twilight Zone in general, like:
- A sci-fi or dystopian book
- A dark/scary book
- A book published or set in any year the show aired: 1959-1964, 1985-1989, 2002-2003, 2019-2020.
- A book with a surprise/twist ending
If you want to really get creative: a book set in a hotel because of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride at Disney World!
(You can tell how badly I want you all to like this prompt - can you believe I've been planning this out since I first joined this group a few years ago?? Hahahaha)
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A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name.
For example:
Just the ..."
I like this idea!