Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2022] Poll 10 Results
happy with all of these. Am suprised the banned book got bottomed. Clearly I am not the only one whose doen it too many times. It's certainly a fiar suggestion. Looking forward to the rest.
Emily - I hope you are able to evacuate fairly easily to a safe area! Keep us posted when you can!
I downvoted historical fiction just because it isn't a genre I read much anymore. I can still make it work with my Around the World Author challenge though so it's all good. The other two are kind of gimme prompts since I read mainly sci fi. I am in the middle of many different series and a lot of sci fi books have nonhuman main characters of some sort or other. Easy to fill but not anything I am dreading for sure.
Emily... I hope that everything goes well.
Mod
All the best to you and your family Emily!
Mod
Yikes Emily! Be safe!I’m disappointed about the historical fiction prompt just because I think it’s way too broad. I would’ve preferred some sort of qualifier, like time period or setting or something. About 70% of what I read will fit so it’s very much a gimme prompt for me.
Oh well. Hopefully the next round of results is more interesting.
Emily wrote: "Early results today before I evacuate for the hurricane! ..."Stay safe! Fingers crossed that your power keeps running. I was in a very small hurricane last year and the absolute worst part was no air conditioning in the aftermath. We finally couldn't take it any more and left to my mom's house where we could cool off and charge our phones.
I voted for historical fiction, I don't read that much of it so it doesn't seem like too much of a free read to me.I was most rooting for woman in STEM so I hope that gets a second chance.
There are a few books on the non-human listopia already where the main character is human. Eg. Into the Drowning Deep is about humans looking for mermaids. The mermaids aren't really characters in it.
I voted for next in a series so glad to see that one made it. I didn't vote for historical fiction but only because we already have the 1900-1950 prompt so that one's good with me. I'm kinda bummed that the non-human character made it. I don't read SF/fantasy/horror/children's books so that limits my options. I have had Animal Farm on my TBR for years though so I guess I could finally read that.
Stay safe Emily! 🙏
Stay safe Emily. Hopefully it will completely miss you.I voted for all three winners so I am happy. Surprised a woman in STEM didn't make it, maybe next time it comes up.
I’m happy with the votes! I only voted for non-human next in a series was the other one I wanted but I had 7 down votes so I’m really glad it still made it. I don’t read a lot of historical fiction so it is just hard enough for me.
Ellie wrote: "There are a few books on the non-human listopia already where the main character is human. Eg. Into the Drowning Deep is about humans looking for mermaids. The mermaids aren't reall..."I may have added that. I haven't read it yet but it came from another listopia of non human characters. It's sometimes difficult to tell who the main characters are without having read the book or reading spoilers. I do add books I haven't read yet to remind myself of things on my own tbr that fit the prompt. I will delete Into the drowning deep though.
How did Sleeping Giants get on the list for "main character is non-human"? The robot they find is not sentient, it's just a piece of machinery. All of the main characters are human, unless there's some big twist in the final book? There's the unnamed interviewer, and then Rose, Kara, Ryan, Vincent, and Alyssa.
Beth, I love Animal Farm! I actually read it again last year and it’s still so relevant today. Plus, it’s a bit humorous in a dark way.
Nadine wrote: "How did Sleeping Giants get on the list for "main character is non-human"? The robot they find is not sentient, it's just a piece of machinery. All of the main characters are human,..."I have read the whole series, I think it technically would count but telling why would be a spoiler. It has been awhile since I read it so I’m a bit foggy on the details.
Emily I hope you and everyone in the path of hurricane stay safe. I am happy a book with a non-human as one of the main characters made it; it is not one that I would pick up often but one that I have enjoyed. I think it will be fun finding something to fit this prompt.
The only result that worries me it the next in series, I don't read that many of them but there are a few detective mystery series I have read in the past I can always pick up where I left off with one of those. It might be good to have this prompt towards the end or middle of the year so that we can pick up a new series for one of the other prompts if need be.
I don't generally like historical fiction but have seen more an more based in the 60's and 70's that sound interesting so hopeful that I can find something unexpected.
I always get confused with the banned book one so glad that didn't make it through. I like the idea of reading banned books but hard to know what fits the bill.
Mod
To everybody in the hurricane's path, stay safe!
I read a lot of historical fiction and mystery series, so those are easy for me and I'll leave them open to choose a book based on my mood at the time. I'll probably narrow down historical fiction to true "Historical Fiction" (the main characters and events actually existed and occurred). For non-human I'm leaning toward Christopher Moore's vampire series, starting with Bloodsucking Fiends. I would recommend any Pratchett book featuring Death, or the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger. Pratchett also has a book featuring vampires: Carpe Jugulum.
Alicia wrote: "Beth, I love Animal Farm! I actually read it again last year and it’s still so relevant today. Plus, it’s a bit humorous in a dark way."That's good to hear, thanks Alicia! I need the encouragement as I've put it off for sooo long and I have no idea why.
Also, Animal Farm is only 100 pages. So a quick read if you feel you’re getting behind in your prompts.
Yay for all 3 of these! Historical fiction and next in a series will be easy to fill, and I have some fun options for non-human character.I was surprised that I really enjoyed Animal Farm.
I mentioned this in the voting thread but I highly recommend The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant. I'm going to read the third in the series for non-human.
I'm leaning toward one of Chanel Cleeton's Cuba books for historical fiction but I'm sure I'll have no trouble finding something. For next in a series I'll probably do the next In Death book, or the second Wayfarers.
I'm happy with results. I still have the third Kingsbridge book ahead of me, which is perfect for the historical fiction prompt, a genre which I don't read too much otherwise, Follett and Gabaldon being the notable exceptions.I read tons of series, so that one is a freebie, and the non-human character should also not be a problem. I still have some unread vampire stuff and other paranormal romance and thrillers lying around.
Relieved that the banned book didn't make it, to be honest.
I'm pleased with these winners. I love historical fiction, and I have a lot of unfinished series. I might use this as a push to continue with the Dresden Files or get caught up on Murderbot.Non-human is a good one for me. I do a sci-fi/fantasy challenge every year and like to do it as a theme challenge. I'm considering either AI or dragons as next year's theme.
Kelly wrote: "I read a lot of historical fiction and mystery series, so those are easy for me and I'll leave them open to choose a book based on my mood at the time. I'll probably narrow down historical fiction ..."I like this idea for narrowing down historical fiction for those of us who are pretty familiar with that genre! There's definitely a difference between books using a historical setting as a backdrop vs. those that are really digging into well-researched history (though I enjoy both kinds!).
I'm sad that the title that describes you didn't get in, I thought that one was super fun. I'd definitely vote for it again!
Nadine wrote: "How did Sleeping Giants get on the list for "main character is non-human"? The robot they find is not sentient, it's just a piece of machinery. All of the main characters are human,..."Sorry, I added that. I haven't read it but I thought I'd read something somewhere that indicated that it would fit the prompt.
Beth wrote: "I voted for next in a series so glad to see that one made it. I didn't vote for historical fiction but only because we already have the 1900-1950 prompt so that one's good with me. I'm kinda bumm..."
For non-human protagonist
Beth, I'm in a group with women who really like literary fiction (such as Heart's Invisible Furies, Hamnet, An American Marriage, Rebecca, etc.) and they also loved The Golem and the Jinni. There is so much wise humanity in the Golem, you will forget that she's not human. Klara and the Sun is another one most of the group liked. (By the author of Remains of the Day).
dalex wrote: "Yikes Emily! Be safe!I’m disappointed about the historical fiction prompt just because I think it’s way too broad. I would’ve preferred some sort of qualifier, like time period or setting or some..."
I know what you mean. I might limit myself to a book written or set prior to 1900 (or 1800), or an historical fiction book set in another country.
Emily wrote: "Early results today before I evacuate for the hurricane!Top:
A book from the historical fiction genre
The next book in a series
A book with a non-human as one of the main characters
Bottom:
A ba..."
Stay safe Emily. Please check in if you can.
I hope everyone else is safe!
I like all these prompts, but I'm disappointed that the two more creative prompts didn't get in. The title about you (sounds so fun) and especially the one about Community. I was surprised that mental health topic didn't get in. I thought it was a shoe-in.COMMUNITY
For those who liked community also, let's all work to find more books that fit, and create a tag or listopia for it. Then resubmit it in a few weeks. If nothing else, we'll have a list of interesting books. We can make notes to indicate which other tags they fit (some might fit rural, historical fiction, title prompts, etc).
Mod
I am happy a book with a non-human as one of the main characters made it; it is not one that I would pick up often but one that I..."
Good point about putting the "next book in a series" later in the year. We should be able to do that. Hopefully everyone will read something earlier on that they want to continue. Most genre fiction (action, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, westerns, mystery) have lots of series. But some literary fiction has sequels as well, for instance The Testaments could be called next in a series after The Handmaid's Tale.
NancyJ wrote: "Beth wrote: "I voted for next in a series so glad to see that one made it. I didn't vote for historical fiction but only because we already have the 1900-1950 prompt so that one's good with me. I..."
Thanks for the ideas, Nancy! I have read and enjoyed some Ishiguro in the past so Klara and the Sun could be an option.
Please stay safe Emily!!!I'm okay with these results (didn't downvote any of them) but I guess none of them excite me just because they're all freebies for me: I read tons of of historical fiction, series, and fantasy (lots of non-human characters).
I was really rooting for the handwriting on the cover since I love cover prompts and we only have one so far, and the word in the title that describes you, which was an original and fun idea. Hoping we get some super creative prompts in the last 14!
I'm also hoping the community prompt gets resubmitted, along with the word to describe yourself in the title. I thought those were both quite unique prompts that are not too difficult.
I'm happy with the results to the extent that they are all prompts I voted for or strongly considered voting for, but none of them particularly excite me either.
dalex wrote: "Yikes Emily! Be safe!I’m disappointed about the historical fiction prompt just because I think it’s way too broad. I would’ve preferred some sort of qualifier, like time period or setting or some..."
We need a mix of broad and strict prompts. I feel it restored the balance
Mod
I will probably go the paranormal route for the non-human narrator, just because I am not big on robot or animal characters. Excited to see what the listopia comes up with though, because I have very few on my TBR.
Historical fiction on the other hand... lol
I think goodreads putting up a list of historical fiction at the same time as our voting may have swayed a few more voters. And the fact they put it into recent decades.
Mod
I have enough historical mystery fiction to possibly do an entire challenge just using those lol, so it will probably be a good prompt for me when I'm feeling stuck.
Mod
Glad to hear that, Emily!
I am disappointed that the Mental Health topic didn't make it in. It was my first attempt at suggesting a prompt. Can anyone provide feedback? Do people think it's too depressing, or only in self-help books? I thought this would be an interesting topic, and it touches many people and families in some way. I was very busy this week and I didn't talk it up, but I didn't see any negative comments about it. Would it have helped if I discussed it more during the week, or if I pointed out popular titles rather than posting lists?
Thanks for any feedback you can give me.
I don’t think it was anything you did or didn’t do. It seems to me there is a good deal of resistance to more ‘serious’ topics this year than in the past. Which I suppose, given the general stress levels of this year, isn’t that surprising
Pearl wrote: "I am disappointed that the Mental Health topic didn't make it in. It was my first attempt at suggesting a prompt. Can anyone provide feedback? Do people think it's too depressing, or only in self-h..."I voted for it so I really can't say. I would hoeevr say no negative comments may mean due to the sensitive anture anyone who didn't like it may not have admitted it.
Hey Pearl, I don’t think anything you did or didn’t do affected the results. I feel like most of the prompts that have made it this year weren’t ones that were heavily discussed. I also voted for your prompt, but I remember last year a similar prompt was suggested and didn’t make it in. I think with COVID and forced isolation, while many mental health issues have been top of mind in the news, with families and friends, etc, some people may not want to relieve it in a book.
But it never hurts to try submitting it again!
There is nothing wrong with the mental help prompt. For me, I want my reading to be an escape from real life. Covid has made my real life mental health more challenging along with reading in general so, it was not a prompt I want right now. I also think, that several diverse prompts and have already made it which made it harder to get in. The title prompt had 2 things going against it: we already have several title prompts, and it is personal which many members don't like.
I'm sad morally gray character didn't make it in, but otherwise I voted for the 3 that made it on so that's good.And as to the mental health prompt - I voted for it, so I can't tell you why it didn't make it on.
Mod
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Boy, Snow, Bird (other topics)Klara and the Sun (other topics)
The Handmaid’s Tale (other topics)
The Testaments (other topics)
Klara and the Sun (other topics)
More...
Top:
A book from the historical fiction genre
The next book in a series
A book with a non-human as one of the main characters
Bottom:
A banned book
Polarizing:
A book (or any book in a series) mentioned on NPR’s list of 50 Favorite Sci-Fi And Fantasy Books Of The Past Decade
Close Call:
A book about a woman in STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths)
The next round of suggestions will open tomorrow (Monday) in the late afternoon CST.
Listopias:
A book from historical fiction genre
The next book in a series
A book with a non-human as one of the main characters