Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2022] Poll 5 Voting
Kelly wrote: "Nadine wrote: "I'd like some more examples on books involving ritual or ceremony, and books involving something forbidden. I'm drawn to both categories but I have no idea if I could really find som..."Kelly, I might be interested in something about fraternity initiations. I haven't thought of this in many years. I was invited to be a faculty initiate in a business fraternity. Most of what the students went through was secret, but we experienced part of it. It was very solemn, but unexpected, and I could feel the man next to me trying not to laugh. I was glad the room was dark.
This is a pretty good list overall, and I could probably work with all or most of them.That said, I have a few definite upvotes:
---A book that involves alternate reality, alternate worlds, or alternate history
---A book that is considered a classic or icon of genre fiction
--- An autobiography, biography, or memoir
I'm also drawn to the gothic element prompt and might vote for one of the lists.
I have a couple of prompts that I'm leaning toward downvotes on, but I'm still up in the air about how I'll use all my votes.
Can someone explain what "gothic elements" are? All I can think of is Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen where the main character is obsessed with Gothic novels. But I never really understood what that was? Examples anyone?
Deborah wrote: "Can someone explain what "gothic elements" are? All I can think of is Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen where the main character is obsessed with Gothic novels. But I never really unders..."If it makes it in, I’ll just go with something tagged Gothic on GR. I think, the wording of elements was used so that the prompt would be open to gothic architecture etc. I’m not a fan of the genre so hopefully someone more knowledgeable can add some additional insight into other elements.
Can someone suggest books for these lines:-Forbidden
-Clouds
-A Character who likes Books
- Beatles Cover. A Marilyn Monroe biography
My 3 favorites are Alternate Reality, Rituals and secret societies, and Biographies/Memoirs. I also like the Powell and Obama lists.
I have OK ideas for these 4, but nothing I really want
A book that is considered a classic or icon of genre fiction.
A book with gothic elements -
A sequel
A book related to a rabbit
I suggested gothic elements on behalf of someone else so didn't know what supporting info they wanted, but some elements of gothic are:Mysterious big house
Something spooky going on
Set in a time of great change
Romance with imbalance of power
Spiritualism / ghosts
Some classic examples are Great Expectations, Dracula, Rebecca, but also modern writers like Laura Purcell are writing gothic books.
Thank you for putting this forward Ellie. I was away and offline for most of the weekend.My thinking was that gothic writing is often conflated with full-blown horror but that there are many options that use elements without being a fright fest.
Unsettling goings on or mood are key. So, for example, there are disturbing settings such as Romney Marsh and Miss Haversham’s house in Great Expectations, encounters with the supernatural (real or imagined), out of balance power relations (especially sexual ones) and tricks of time such as figures from the past reappearing.
I recommend Ellie’s find from the British Library including the very accessible video: https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victo...
Then there are lots of parodies from Northanger Abbey onwards.
Also gothic architecture (lots of churches) or furnishings on the cover or a black cover or a gothic typeface. Plus attention seeking gothic covers that don’t relate much to the book such as
.Then there are modern characters who are goths such as Emily the Strange or, arguably, Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy or you could read a book from the original Goth homelands in Scandinavia.
Ellie wrote: "I suggested gothic elements on behalf of someone else so didn't know what supporting info they wanted, but some elements of gothic are:Mysterious big house
Something spooky going on
Set in a time ..."
Thanks for doing that Ellie. I also think of them as very atmospheric. (I don't know about the time of great change, but I guess it's all relative.) I just found this modern gothic list and I liked quite a few. Anne Rice books are horror. Kate Morton (modern) and Daphne du Maurier (1950s) would be good for people who only want "a touch." I wasn't planning to upvote it (I read more than my share of gothic this year), but I see 2 books I could read if it wins. I might change my mind. I'm not rushing to vote this week.
Modern gothic -
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Gothic
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
NancyJ wrote: "I don't know about the time of great change, but I guess it's all relative..."This is why I didn't want my rambling to be used as the definition in the suggestion 🤣 I think it's more the conflict/contrast between new and old? There's often someone clinging onto the past and a new person coming in disrupting things.
Ellie wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I don't know about the time of great change, but I guess it's all relative..."This is why I didn't want my rambling to be used as the definition in the suggestion 🤣 I think it's mo..."
No, that was a great description! In the discussion I'm pretty sure that "element" of gothic was proposed as a substitute for a "touch" of gothic. I'm not aware of any definition for modern gothic. When my group read gothic a few months ago, the range was pretty wide. I think my least favorite was a modern haunted house. Daphne du Maurier was a favorite. Some day I'll reread Jane Eyre.
Beth wrote: "Thanks to those who have given some suggestions/clarification on the classic genre prompt, it has been helpful :)I'm still a bit stuck on what to vote for this round! I really like both list prom..."
I'm struggling on the character who loves books. I mean, everyone loves book, right?🙂 I wouldn't count a casual mention, which is so common, I wonder if it's a writing device to help book loving readers to connect with the character.
There are two that stand out to me at the moment, and I would recommend both. Francie in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - I loved her library trips. Balzac and the Little Seamstress, is a true book about books. I read it very recently. They risked a lot to secretly read books during the cultural revolution, and the content of the books were tied into the story in many ways.
Which ones stand out to you? I haven't read The Eyre Affair.
I was going to downvote the Awards prompt (I just don't like picking from a list) but then I checked the website and found out that the Powell's Awards include the Edgar, Gold Dagger, Hugo, and Nebula Awards. I can do those :DVery happy to see last year's Rabbit prompt come up again. I love how random it is and would love for it to make it this time!
I upvoted the book lists. I feel like we need some for the prompts next year and I suggested Obama's. I also upvoted a sequel because I always have one I need to read. I also upvoted autobiography, biography and memoir because I'm always listening to one on audio. I upvoted gothic elements because these are some of my favorite books although I've read a lot of them.I downvoted a book about something forbidden, related to a rabbit and a book where a character loves books. The rabbit one would have been hard to fill. Ironically I just finished one with a rabbit on the cover however. The books where a character loves books hasn't been a favorite of mine so far and I feel like I've done the prompt. A book about something forbidden just seemed to open and vague. However if any of these got in I know I could find a book to fill it.
Looking through Obama's list, there seem to be a fair number of books I thought were so-so or I DNFed, so I don't think my tastes really align with his. I think the non-fiction looks more promising so I guess that's what I'll try if it gets in.I decided not to vote either way on Powell's awards, because there are a lot more options if you include all the award categories they don't include, eg. Hugo's and Nebula have best novella, novelette, etc. It's a bit annoying that they've limited the Daggers to just the Gold Dagger but I might interpret that as a misunderstanding if the prompt gets in.
If you want to see all the various Dagger winners you can view them on the CWA website:
https://thecwa.co.uk/the-daggers/winn...
NancyJ wrote: "I'm struggling on the character who loves books. I mean, everyone loves book, right?"I think of it more than someone who just likes to read. Nina Hill is a great example. It could be someone who is a librarian or owns/works in a book store:
The Giver of Stars
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore
Twenty-one Truths About Love
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
An author, where the story is about their writing, not just the fact that they are an author.
Beach Read
Maggie Finds Her Muse
People in a book club:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Jane Austen Society
Or someone who just likes books:
The Uncommon Reader
The Starless Sea
Here's a Listopia: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
I split my vote 4/4 this time. I'm not big on lists but know we will get some and both of these have books I'm interested in reading. I like alternate reality books and I try to always up vote any animal/creature type prompt and hopefully someday one will make it on the list.Top:
1. A book that involves alternate reality, alternate worlds, or alternate history
2. A book that won an award from Powell's list of book awards
7. A book from one of Obama's reading lists
14. A book related to a rabbit
The Beatles album cover had too much going on for me. I'm not interested in the books I saw for the classic genre fiction. The lack of the article 'a' before ritual/ceremony really bothers me. I feel like the forbidden prompt might be a bit of a spoiler.
Bottom:
3. A book related to one of the individuals shown on the cover of the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
4. A book that is considered a classic or icon of genre fiction
8. A book about or involving ritual or ceremony
9. A book about doing something forbidden
I really like the diversity of prompts here. I could easily vote for a dozen or more (if it were allowed). That said, I ended up with seven upvotes and one downvote (furniture on the cover). Upvotes included (of course) a character who likes books and the rabbit prompt (I LOVED The Rabbit Back Literature Society and highly recommend it if this prompt gets through).
Mod
NancyJ wrote: "Beth wrote: "Thanks to those who have given some suggestions/clarification on the classic genre prompt, it has been helpful :)I'm still a bit stuck on what to vote for this round! I really like b..."
These are some books that have characters that love books:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (Hermionie Granger is a serious book worm.)
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (Anne really loves reading)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Jo Marsh is a writer and lover of books)
The Lives of Christopher Chant by Dianne Wynne Jones (books are used as payment)
The Book Thief by Markus Zukas (let's just say books play a major role in the plot.)
I went 7 up and 1 down. I couldn't decide between the list prompts so went for both.
OK, I voted for the rabbit! I wouldn't normally but my copy of The Rook has a rabbit on the cover, so why not. :)
With support building around Ron’s rabbit suggestion and with respect to his diligence over several years to get this prompt in, I will also vote for the Rabbit prompt. I found a copy of Tales from Watership Down (the sequel) on my bookshelf. I read Watership Down in the ‘70s. I don’t remember what it was about so I could reread it. And then there is John Updike’s Rabbit series. I started it so long ago that I would have to reread the first book!I still haven’t decided on the lists prompts. I feel like anything from them could fit somewhere else.
For a character that loves books, you could also do a non-fiction about an author or writer.Here are a couple more links:
- Goodreads has it's own section that is updated regularly with New Releases, Most Read, Listopias, and more: https://www.goodreads.com/genres/book...
- 100 Books About Books (updated June 2021): https://the-bibliofile.com/books-abou...
I went 4-4 pretty easily this time. I upvoted gothic elements, alternate reality, ritual, and forbidden. Those all immediately caught my attention when I first saw the list.I downvoted Sgt Pepper, Obama, classic of genre fiction, and autobiography/biography/memoir. It's not even because that one's non-fiction at this point, I just feel that specific non-fiction prompt has been done to death over the years in several of the challenges I've done. Obama's list has a few books I could read, but nothing that I'm that interested in reading (except for one or two that are already on my list to read this year).
Mod
I did not down vote the lists this time. I did not up vote them either. They seem to be okay. The reason I do not like lists are that most lists suggested do tend to be American centric. Since joining this group I have learned to read more widely. Many lists tend to not encourage that wide reading. Yes there are a few that do, but those books can be difficult to find, or just on there because there is not another book that fits the list even if it is not a good book.
Quite a few lists have the same books on them. So if you see one list you have seen the majority of them. They are a good place to start for a reader trying to expand their reading lists. That being said, the best book suggestions I have found are not on those lists. They come from other readers, like the ones in this group.
Weird rant done.
I can see why lists are problematic for some people. If we don't get any voted in then maybe we could try coming up with a member-created list with some kind of focus? I think there was something similar suggested a few years ago with underrated books.
I have the most mixed reaction to this list of suggestions, compared to any other so far this year. I do really love a few of them, like alternate reality, classic genre fiction and gothic element. I will probably upvote BOTH clouds and favorite weather on cover because it's unlikely both will get in, and I'd love to get one of them.
I had an immediate negative reaction to the ritual/ceremony and forbidden prompts, but after reading the discussion I think I can work them if they get in, so won't vote either way on those. I'm also not a fan of list prompts, but the Powell's one isn't too bad, so hopefully that one will get in and satisfy the list people... I will be be downvoting the Obama list, as my taste doesn't seem to overlap much with his, and I've already read most of the books on his lists I have any interest in.
Most of the rest of the prompts I have no strong feelings either way, but might squeeze in an upvote for a couple of the ones that are less generic than usual (St Peppers Lonely Hearts Band, furniture on cover, etc).
Beth wrote: "I can see why lists are problematic for some people. If we don't get any voted in then maybe we could try coming up with a member-created list with some kind of focus? I think there was something s..."The ATY Best Books of the Month prompt is sort of a member-created list.
Pearl wrote: "Can someone suggest books for these lines:-Forbidden
-Clouds
-A Character who likes Books
- Beatles Cover. A Marilyn Monroe biography
My 3 favorites are Alternate Reality, Rituals and secret s..."
For clouds on cover (all books I've read and enjoyed):
Clouds in title:
Nancy wrote: "Beth wrote: "I can see why lists are problematic for some people. If we don't get any voted in then maybe we could try coming up with a member-created list with some kind of focus? I think there wa..."Yes. I found that good this year, and to be honest the people here are more relevant to me than those that choose the awards.
Nancy wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I'm struggling on the character who loves books. I mean, everyone loves book, right?"I think of it more than someone who just likes to read. Nina Hill is a great example. It could ..."
Thanks. The listopia helps a lot. I see many that I loved, and many already on my tbr. I have them all on a shelf for books about books, so this helps separate out the ones that don't really fit. I really loved the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, and the important role she played in her community.
Nancy wrote: "The ATY Best Books of the Month prompt is sort of a member-created list..."Yes, and that's the kind of varied list I actually enjoy picking from. It's weird seeing people say "well if we have to have a list prompt then this one will do" when we already have a list prompt! I'd rather see people voting on things they were excited about.
Beth wrote: "I can see why lists are problematic for some people. If we don't get any voted in then maybe we could try coming up with a member-created list with some kind of focus? I think there was something s..."Beth, I love this idea!! We do already have the books of the month, but it would be so much fun to kind of curate a list with more of a focus. One of the reasons I dislike list prompts is they seem to either (1) be made by a random, anonymous person on the internet (this year's Are You Well Read in World Literature list), which means we're just going off of what one person thinks are important books, or (2) they seem to over-emphasize award-winning books chosen by a specific committee/panel, which is not something I consider important when picking a book to read. I would be much more likely to vote for a list prompt if it felt like it had more relevance to us as a group.
And @Ellie, I completely agree, if people aren't excited by a list prompt then we don't need to vote for it. You never know when a more interesting list prompt will be suggested!
That said, I do find the Obama prompt a lot more interesting than the awards prompt. I was surprised by the range of books on there as well.
I'm similar to Irene when it comes to list prompts. I would like more things with this group, but I find that generally (of course there are exceptions) I'm not impressed by these committees that I don't know telling me that something is award-winning. The opposite of a prompt that was suggested earlier, I actually wish I didn't read some overhyped books. I may be the only one in the world, but I absolutely hated Normal People and DNF'd Hamnet. I just rarely have good experiences with these "critically acclaimed" books.
My clearest upvotes are: The Powell List, the Obama List, and Alternate Realities. And most likely a book about book lovers.I'm not going to rush to vote up or down on the others, just in case I hear of something fabulous that won't fit anywhere else.
The forbidden and ritual books are intriguing, and I have one rabbit book I might like to read. I read many genre classics and gothic in recent years, so I probably won't upvote them, but I won't downvote them either.
I haven't given any thought to biographies. I would think that this would be an obvious category, so I'm going to trust that it will be resubmitted later.
Downvotes are most likely for the Beatles cover and the furniture cover.
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I really love the Obama lists. I found some great books on his lists. Most are books I aspire to read but probably won't - and the prompt will give me an extra push. The Gilead books are unlike most other books I read, and I found them transformative. Jack was hard to read, but it turned on a switch to help me understand some people so much better.
The Powell list is great for me too. I already see potential books for this prompt as well as other challenges.
Alicia we are such book twins. I also hated Normal People. And Station Eleven.
Mod
I feel like a weirdo Goldilocks, I downvoted the two list prompts because they feel too limited (Obama) and too broad (Powell's), although I'm sure I can happily find something to read from either or both. I'm sure that I have voted for and will vote for plenty of other types of prompts that are similarly limited or broad in their ways, but I think for me lists in particular really need to hit a sweet spot. I voted for:
- Sgt Pepper--I like it for the same reason as the song lyric prompts from this year and especially last year, although the responses here don't seem thrilled.
- Alternate reality--I read a lot of books that could fit this prompt, but it also has potential for me to push myself, and I think it's open enough that non-genre readers can find some interesting options.
- Furniture--this doesn't seem popular, but I like cover prompts.
- Rabbit--can't resist.
- Sequel--the right kind of freebie for me.
Overall, this is a great list of prompts as usual! I love the creativity in this group.
Nancy wrote: "Alicia we are such book twins. I also hated Normal People. And Station Eleven."That's funny. I just finished Normal People and I liked that one but I didn't get what the fuss was over Station Eleven.
All the Light We Cannot See I rated that higher than I think I should have.
Robin P, I forgot about All the Light We Cannot See but that was another where I finished and was like that's what everyone was talking about? I agree with the trying to be beautiful, that I don't feel like I can connect with the characters or the story.That said, a similar setting but infinitely better is The Nightingale, which may be one of my favorite books of all time. You hate, love, yell, cry, laugh, etc at all of the characters.
P.S. I also think Nancy loves Kristin Hannah with me, so we are definitely book twins 👭
You know, I was going to list All the Light as one I thought was overrated but then I noticed I gave it 4 stars. I really remember not loving it as much as everyone else so maybe I gave in to peer pressure?!And yes, I do so much love Kristin Hannah. My book club read The Nightingale and I was super happy to read it again, even though I didn't sob quite as much the second time I still just loved it so much.
I up voted Rabbits just for persistence. Is this the third year it has been suggested?I also up voted Sgt. Pepper for the uniqueness.
I found several alternate reality, iconic genre, and gothic books I would like to read, so they were up votes as well.
I don't usually like cover promote, but I didn't down vote them.
Nancy wrote: "Beth wrote: "I can see why lists are problematic for some people. If we don't get any voted in then maybe we could try coming up with a member-created list with some kind of focus? I think there wa..."Yes I was thinking people might find it too similar to have another ATY-curated list but it seems like this is a much preferred type of list to any 'official' one. If we came up with something to focus it on rather than favourites of the month (which is pretty broad), people might be more inclined to vote for it over, say, an award or celebrity reading list.
But then again as Ellie said, it isn't exactly necessary to have a list voted in at all so it might be viewed as making a list just for the sake of it!
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Nancy wrote: "You know, I was going to list All the Light as one I thought was overrated but then I noticed I gave it 4 stars. I really remember not loving it as much as everyone else so maybe I gave in to peer ..."I did the exact same thing with both of those books (all the Light, and Nightingales). I often reread books I really liked with a local book club,
There was a true story about a spy who also brought people over the mountains (and she was missing a leg.) A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of WWII’s Most Dangerous Spy, Virginia Hall
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Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Anthony Doerr (other topics)
Laura Purcell (other topics)
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I'm still a bit stuck on what to vote for this round! I really like both list prompts so will definitely be upvoting those. I'm also considering gothic element, auto/bio/memoir and related to rabbits (surely it's time for this one to make the list!).
There isn't anything that screams immediate downvote. I would usually dismiss any 'book about books' style prompts but a character who loves books is a pretty common character to find so I don't mind this one.
The cloud/weather cover prompts are both ok but I feel like we already have a few nature themed prompts - light source on the cover and flora & fauna (I'm interpreting these as cover prompts) so I probably won't vote for those.
I think I'd have most difficulty with the Beatles prompt as I don't see many connections between those people and the books I want to read.