[2022] Wild Discussion Showing 1,101-1,150 of 2,340

[NancyJ]

Joyce wrote: "Not that it needs to be significant but I noticed that “A book with a non-human narrator” was a bottom vote in last year’s poll."

I guess I might have thought they'd be horror books, but I found quite a few that I already liked or want to read. I waited way too long to read The Book Thief (because it's narrated by death), but it was fantastic and full of humanity. In another group, we vote for monthly tags, and I voted against "death" one month, only to discover later that those books are also very life affirming. (There weren't many murder mysteries with that tag.)

The books on the "unusual narrators" tag list include human narrators too. "Unusual narration style" could add another level.

[Pam]

I think a few years back we had a prompt for a book with a strong sense of place. I listen to a podcast with that name and am always getting new ideas for those types of books. I would like to see that prompt make a return!

[Jillian]

Joyce wrote: "Not that it needs to be significant but I noticed that “A book with a non-human narrator” was a bottom vote in last year’s poll."

We have a significant amount of members who downvote anything animal related so that did not help the prompt last year. Sometimes it also depends what is already on the list like I’m downvoting title prompts because I don’t want anymore.

[NancyJ]

Jillian wrote: "Joyce wrote: "Not that it needs to be significant but I noticed that “A book with a non-human narrator” was a bottom vote in last year’s poll."

We have a significant amount of members who downvote..."

I think I saw xenofiction on a prior list. I had an animals tag last year and I overloaded on them that month, but I still didn't read Watership Down. It came up for me again today on the unusual narrator list, and books set on the ocean (a common mistake with ship in the title). This prompt feels like it could be more literary, maybe because it has an Ian McEwan book on the list.

[NancyJ]

Pam wrote: "I think a few years back we had a prompt for a book with a strong sense of place. I listen to a podcast with that name and am always getting new ideas for those types of books. I would like to see ..."

Which ones do you recommend? The Golem and the Jinni has that with 1900 New York City, and the sequel sounds just as good. Someone mentioned it has 3 narrators, and a review suggested NY City might be one of them (or a third main character maybe).

[Shannon SA]

Pam wrote: "I think a few years back we had a prompt for a book with a strong sense of place. I listen to a podcast with that name and am always getting new ideas for those types of books. I would like to see ..."

And I would vote for that if it was suggested :)

[Nancy]

NancyJ wrote: "Did you like Hidden Palace? I loved Golem &Jinni

Murderbot is high on my list for 2022 (or 2021 if I get a sci-fi tag)"

I did like it, but not as much as Golem and Jinni. Love Murderbot! They just want to be left alone to watch TV, but alas, there's a job to do.

[Nancy]

Kat wrote: "I came across this website and was wondering if it could work for a prompt.
https://www.queerlit.co.uk

Maybe, read a book discovered/featured on the website?

I really want an LGBTQIA prompt to..."

I would vote for an LGBTQIA+ prompt every year, I think that queerlit site is a good one that changes it up a bit.

[Nancy]

Joyce wrote: "Not that it needs to be significant but I noticed that “A book with a non-human narrator” was a bottom vote in last year’s poll."

IIRC, non-human narrator was in the bottom last year because people didn't like that it was narrator, and a lot of the discussion said if it was character they would have voted for it.

[Nancy]

NancyJ wrote: "the sequel sounds just as good. Someone mentioned it has 3 narrators, and a review suggested NY City might be one of them (or a third main character maybe)."

I just finished the sequel (The Hidden Palace), NYC is not a narrator or a character. Strong sense of place for sure though. There are also more than 3 narrators, I'm not sure if 3 needed to be the specific number. But there are 8 I just thought of off the top of my head, though some narrate a lot more than others. But it's a multi-POV book for sure.

[Pam]

NancyJ wrote: "Pam wrote: "I think a few years back we had a prompt for a book with a strong sense of place. I listen to a podcast with that name and am always getting new ideas for those types of books. I would ..."

Here is the link to the Strong Sense of Place podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
The podcast gave me a better idea of how a book can bring to life the setting. It's not just mentioning a few landmarks but feeling like you are immersed in the culture and the region or setting. (Some of their places are not physical locations but places like trains and circuses.) One of the books I read and loved that they recommended was The Tsar of Love and Techno. Two books set in NYC that I think meet this criteria are Rules of Civility and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

[RachelG.]

What do you think of a prompt: A book from the genre "Own Voices"? I remember someone talking about this earlier and wasn't very aware of what it meant so I looked it up:

#OwnVoices is a term coined by the writer Corinne Duyvis, and refers to an author from a marginalized or under-represented group writing about their own experiences/from their own perspective, rather than someone from an outside perspective writing as a character from an underrepresented group

https://www.goodreads.com/genres/own-...

[Ellie]

Rachel wrote: "What do you think of a prompt: A book from the genre "Own Voices"? I remember someone talking about this earlier and wasn't very aware of what it meant so I looked it up:..."

I would just point out that the creators of the hashtag are moving away from using it now, due to pressure placed on authors to have to justify that their books match their identity:
https://diversebooks.org/why-we-need-...

[RachelG.]

Ellie wrote:
I woul..."

Thanks Ellie for the feedback. I really appreciate learning this.

[Sarah]

Alicia wrote: "However, I'm starting to investigate how I can put an Agatha Christie book in every category, and the one I'm struggling with the most is alternate worlds/realities/histories. Any ideas?"

Funny - I tried to do the same in this year's ATY and managed to place 14 without much effort. I did not read them all and 1-2 were dumped in favor of other books but I'll definitely place a few Agatha Christie books again in the 2022 challenge.

I can't help out on the alternate worlds/etc prompt though, sorry!

[Alicia]

Angie and I were going to share lists (I promise I'm starting my today), so I'll add you as well! Just looking through the prompts so far, it seems really easy to match most of them.

I just noticed that alternate histories/worlds would be tough (especially since I was going to try to stick with Hercule or Marple). Also the Powell list, mainly because the Powell list didn't exist then but also because most of the awards included in the Powell list also didn't exist at the time, except the Pulitzer. Can I just claim I think she should have won a Pulitzer? Kidding!

[NancyJ]

Alicia wrote: "Angie and I were going to share lists (I promise I'm starting my today), so I'll add you as well! Just looking through the prompts so far, it seems really easy to match most of them.

I just notic..."

But did she write any gay characters 100 years ago? Actually, I think she probably did, without saying so.

She might have won some mystery awards after the fact. If anyone deserved a lifetime achievement award for their impact on the genre, it would be her.

[NancyJ]

Pam wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Pam wrote: "I think a few years back we had a prompt for a book with a strong sense of place. I listen to a podcast with that name and am always getting new ideas for those types of ..."

I agree with the two NY City books. I never got around to the Marra book though. I had to return it to the library without even opening it. Too many books...

[Alicia]

NancyJ wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Angie and I were going to share lists (I promise I'm starting my today), so I'll add you as well! Just looking through the prompts so far, it seems really easy to match most of them...."

Yes, I'm actually fairly certain Tim Allerton in Death on the Nile is supposed to be gay and I'm sure there are more. And she has an award named after her (the Agatha Award). Other than that she won the Edgar Award for a play, and a Mystery Writers Award. I was actually shocked to not see more.

[Jen]

I have never made a suggestion for anything like this, so this may be something that is unworkable or has already been tried and shot down but...how about "a book with a map (either inside or on the cover)?" There are a LOT of books that contain real or fictional maps in them.

[Dubhease]

Joyce wrote: "Not that it needs to be significant but I noticed that “A book with a non-human narrator” was a bottom vote in last year’s poll."

That prompt existed two years ago. (Maybe it was PopSugar). I read the Book Thief because of it.

[Dubhease]

Jen wrote: "I have never made a suggestion for anything like this, so this may be something that is unworkable or has already been tried and shot down but...how about "a book with a map (either inside or on th..."

I think your book with a map prompt is good. I don't know how people listened to The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle on audio book. I kept referring to the map (and list of characters) repeatedly. I would have been lost without it. I also kept looking at the map in Where the Crawdads Sing

Many fantasy books have maps. I mentioned the two above as non-fantasy books with maps.

[Beth]

We had a map prompt a few years ago. I think it's been long enough that people would be ok voting for it again (if I remember correctly it was quite a popular prompt).

[Alicia]

I actually have 71/2 deaths as a reread because I did do it via audiobook. And while I loved it, I realized I needed to read it in print to get the full experience.

[Jill]

Books with maps

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

[Lindsey]

Jen wrote: "I have never made a suggestion for anything like this, so this may be something that is unworkable or has already been tried and shot down but...how about "a book with a map (either inside or on th..."

I like this idea, but I'm not sure I'd vote for it, depending on what else is suggested, because I feel like it's fairly similar to the "Here There Be Dragons" prompt that's already in. This is what the person who suggested that prompt wrote about it:

This phrase (in Latin: "Hic sunt dracones") famously appears on the Hunt-Lenox Globe, one of the oldest maps of the world, to denote blank spots/unchartered territory. Medieval maps were often illustrated with sea serpents and other mythological beasts in places that had not yet been explored. Alternately, "Hic sunt leones" ("Here Be Lions") was used.

The phrase "Here Be Dragons" has entered the English language as an idiom warning against (potential) danger.

Possible books to fit that prompt could involve mapmaking, historical/adventure novels featuring explorers venturing into the unknown, books with literal dragons, or a more general plot involving the investigation of something unknown and potentially dangerous (scientific research etc.). There should be loads of options to make this prompt work.
***

So HTBD is definitely tied to maps, but it's also broad enough that people could do something else with it. But just putting that out there to think about.

[Pearl]

Do you think this would be a good prompt?

A fiction or nonfiction book about a heroic or inspiring person.
A fiction or nonfiction book about heroic or inspiring people.

[Alicia]

Is there a reason for including “fiction or nonfiction book”? Doesn’t “a book” naturally cover both of those? Or when that’s added are we not supposed to read things like poetry?

As for inspiring or heroic person, it’s not something I would downvote, but I don’t know if I’d upvote it. Who is inspiring seems like a personal choice, and I read a few biographies each year so I can slip that in. Or an adventure book for heroic.

It’s something I could do, but I don’t know if I’m particularly excited about it.

[Jillian]

I would also recommend leaving off fiction or non-fiction. It is not a prompt that I’d up vote for but I’m not very in sync with the group (so that is probably a positive for the prompt). If you like it, I’d recommend suggesting it. I think, it could be a popular prompt. I would recommend having a list of examples when you suggest it.

[Angie]

Pearl wrote: "Do you think this would be a good prompt?

A fiction or nonfiction book about a heroic or inspiring person.
A fiction or nonfiction book about heroic or inspiring people."

I like it. I'd give some examples, though. My mind goes to a lot of fantasy (King Arthur, Harry Potter, Tolkien, anything epic fantasy) and adventure (someone is always rescuing someone... sounds heroic) stuff, as well as biographies and memoirs. A lot of contemporary drama has characters who are telling inspiring stories.

[Jill]

Pearl wrote: "Do you think this would be a good prompt?

A fiction or nonfiction book about a heroic or inspiring person.
A fiction or nonfiction book about heroic or inspiring people."

Here are some lists of heroes which may help;-
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Pearl]

Thank you for the help everybody. They can be real people or fictional characters, and one person or more.

A book about heroic or inspiring people.

Jill the lists are perfect. Thank you.
Heroic
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Inspiring
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[LindaLH]

Kat wrote: "I would vote for an LGBTQIA+ prompt every year."

Yes! Just thinking about suggesting an LGBT prompt and wondering what the acronym du jour is, today. I do not keep up with the acronyms but the books help expand my world, which is the reason I read books.

I thought to suggest:
A book with an LGBT author or main character.
A book with a BIPOC author or main character.

Not sure if BIPOC is au currant for black, indigenous, person of color, either.

Any further thoughts on this?

[LindaLH]

Jillian wrote: "I would also recommend leaving off fiction or non-fiction. "

Agreed. Many prompts can be satisfied with fiction or nonfiction, maybe all with a bit of imagination. Helps with the nonfiction TBR.

[NancyJ]

Linda,

Several people have mentioned LGBTQIA+, but I don't think an actual suggestion was posted. I was hoping Kat would suggest it in poll 7 but it's probably good she didn't since we were overloaded with great diversity topics: Asian authors, Latin American authors, Jewish authors, minority groups in other countries, plus translated books. We'll find out soon (tomorrow?) how people voted. The author approach is harder with LGBT++ books because of the complexity (and even safety risk) of identification, so author/character makes the most sense. I liked the website Kat suggested.

We had a BIPOC nonfiction suggestion that didn't make it in yet, probably more because it was nonfiction than bipoc. I really liked the prompts we're using this year for black authors (with a handy list), and another for racism/race relations (which wasn't limited to one race).

While there is no term that makes everyone happy, BIPOC seems to be the favored term for someone in the US who is not white/of European descent. It most clearly includes Blacks, Native Americans, Hispanics/Latin Americans living in the US. Some definitions will also include Asian and Middle-eastern people regardless of actual skin color, which can be confusing. When used in conversation, you can't assume that two parties mean exactly the same thing. It is not a legal term, and it is not used as a statistical identifier.

BIPOC might not be a relevant term for our members in other countries. They might instead choose books about groups that are marginalized in their own country or region, or bipoc people around the world.

Similarly, I think of the term "translated books" as a way to search for books from countries that are more challenging, or more culturally accurate (compared to a book written by an American author, but set in another country). But for some of our members almost everything they read is translated. It would make more sense for them to interpret this prompt as a call to read books from authors in parts of the world they don't normally read. This group allows individuals to interpret the prompts in a way that makes sense to them.

[Kat]

I was asleep when the last round of suggestions opened so missed it. I'll try to suggest it in the next round.

[Shannon]

I love prompts related to titles and book covers for some reason. Makes roaming around a bookstore fun. How about, in honor of 2022, something like "A book with 22 or more letters in the title." There is a listopia here on Goodreads of books with really long titles.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

[Pearl]

I like it. There are many I would like to read.

[RachelG.]

We have 4 title prompts on the list already, although I personally like them, I wonder if people will vote for more.

I would like to see more cover prompts make the final list. We only have 1 so far. I agree that hunting for a cover or title is fun.

[Nancy]

I probably wouldn't vote for another title prompt, though I do like the 22 letter one.

I'm ambivalent on cover prompts since covers can be very different for different editions of a book.

[Ellie]

I like cover prompts, I use the cover I have, but it doesn't bother me if people use any cover.

[Alicia]

For cover prompts I just use the main version that shows up on Goodreads. My issue with cover prompts is that sometimes we are looking for really small things and it’s hard to see based on the tiny icons of the TBR. I know when you click into a book you can enlarge it, but it can be tedious if you’re looking for something like a mineral on the cover and have to open tons of links just to see if there happens to be a diamond, rock, etc.

On the other hand, cover prompts like the light source i like better because they are easier to spot.

[°~Amy~°]

I like cover prompts and it doesn't bother me if I see the e-book has a different cover than the hardcover or whatever, Ill just record the cover that works and read what I have on hand. It's all for fun so I don't feel forced to use exactly the version I read.

I do wish we had more FUN prompts, like Disney, Wizard of Oz, Rock/Paper/Scissors, Rabbit, etc. I find those type to be the most fun to find books for. It gets the creative juices in my brain working. Apparently it isn't what the group as a whole wants this year though. :(

[Alicia]

I voted for all those prompts (minus rabbit for personal reasons)! I agree I want some more of those types of prompts. Right now, it looks like I’ll be forced to sneak them in with other prompts as a BIO. But it’s more fun to see the groups interpretation.

[Nancy]

I'm disappointed none of those are getting in as well. I was hoping the tarot one would get in. I feel like we had a similar issue for this year though, there are maybe 5 or 6 I'd consider fun, and some of those took multiple times of being suggested before getting in, IIRC.

[Kat]

Hopefully we can get some fun ones through when the list fills up a bit more and we have enough title and cover prompts.

I always like prompts that fit the specific year and they haven't made it on yet. There's still time though.

[Ellie]

Can we convince the mods to have a fun prompts only poll?!

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Ellie wrote: "Can we convince the mods to have a fun prompts only poll?!"

You could try to coordinate with multiple people to flood the poll with "fun" suggestions. I like those as well.

[Jillian]

I might vote for a title prompt in a later poll but right now I’d like to see some different prompts get in first.

I’d also like some fun prompts too. I have up voted several and will keep doing so. I felt the Tarot prompt was too close to this years card prompt so I was neutral with it.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Alicia wrote: "For cover prompts I just use the main version that shows up on Goodreads. My issue with cover prompts is that sometimes we are looking for really small things and it’s hard to see based on the tiny..."

For cover prompts, I use whatever works, either what I read or what is on GR. You're right about small details on covers, though. I did have that issue with a couple of prompts in the last 2 years, but I still think they are fun. Last year I suggested the one about "more than 2 people on the cover" and then I was surprised how hard it was to find.