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[2022] Poll 14 Results
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Well the ones I was dreading aren’t in but will need some help with glass
Not a fan of inclement weather at the moment, maybe I can read something about the desert! Far far away from hurricanes, winds and flooding.Love the handwriting on the cover prompt.
Pamela M. Kelley books would work for this.
I like the idea of combining the anniversary of the lens used in lighthouses with the glass prompt, so I'll likely read a lighthouse book as there are a few on my radar.I have so many books with types of inclement weather in the title, but I also like reading books where bad weather is part of the plot. So really happy that made it in.
Two great winners and an oh boyo for me.We all know how publishers use a certain type of cover art for a certain type of book, to attract likely readers ... whatever type of book it is that gets handwriting on the cover seems to be a type I don't like. So this will be an interesting challenge! I'm sure I can find something! I'm counting on that Listopia to help me out!!
I like these winners - all up votes for me. I downvoted the bottom too - being in Australia it was too US centric.
I like these prompts. Inclement weather will be a challenge for me.
Two of these will be a bit challenging and I'll probably have to go to the lists for ideas. When you add books to the list, please fill the "Why you added this book" box, if it isn't obvious. Thanks!
Nadine wrote: "Two great winners and an oh boyo for me.We all know how publishers use a certain type of cover art for a certain type of book, to attract likely readers ... whatever type of book it is that gets ..."
I didn't vote either way on it, because I have a much stricter definition of handwriting than others. Some fonts are actually taken from handwritten letters, but a lot of the script fonts look nothing like handwriting to me. So I'm looking for covers where the design is implying it's handwriting or there is actual hand-lettering, like for a graphic novel.
Ellie, I had a similar problem. Many of the list books do not look like actual handwriting. I’m really happy the glass one got in. It is the type of fun prompt for me that has been missing from the list. I’m neutral on the weather one. The books with this theme that I have read in the past tend to be just so so books.
Ellie wrote: "Some fonts are actually taken from handwritten letters, but a lot of the script fonts look nothing like handwriting to me. ..."Same issue here. Some of the books suggested have what I consider italics or another loopy font on the cover, but it's not "handwriting" in my eyes.
Maybe I can find a graphic novel with handwriting on the cover.
For anyone reading the Heartstopper books, they've all had hand-lettered covers so far and I'm hoping they don't change that for volume 5 just because it's getting a Netflix adaptation...
Jillian wrote: "Ellie, I had a similar problem. Many of the list books do not look like actual handwriting. I’m really happy the glass one got in. It is the type of fun prompt for me that has been missing from t..."
Not sure if this helps you, Jillian, but related to inclement weather can also mean the title or cover! It doesn't have to be the theme of the book.
Katie, I will probably go that route.
Climate Change cand be related to inclement weather so nonfiction could work too.
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My brain is going to The Survivors, which I read this year and loved, so maybe I'll find a book like that -- looking at the survivors of a major disaster or something rather than focusing on the event itself.
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I’m very happy with the winners- 3 of my top 4! I know exactly what I plan to read. Of course, I never follow my plan. 2022 might be the exception!Re: the handwriting prompt, I’m interpreting it to mean cursive writing.
The issues with handwriting mentioned are why I did not vote for it, but I'll figure something out! I am excited for glass and inclement weather though, as they are a little harder but also have a lot of ways to go. I'm going to try to avoid using cover/title for the weather one and go with theme.
I voted for 1/3 which was glass. I think I'll use it as a cover prompt with a window or mirror.The other two I was undecided so left them neutral. I agree about the handwriting one that a lot of them feature a cursive kind of font which isn't actual handwriting, just imitates it. That was what put me off voting for it. It shouldn't be too difficult to fill if I take the loose interpretation.
Inclement weather may be a bit more tricky. I'm not sure I have much on my TBR that actually involves it in the book.
I've been having a rough morning, but these results have brightened my day! :)
I’m so glad other people have said the same thing about handwriting. I thought it was just me when I looked at the listopia. I’ll also be more strict with my interpretation. I can’t remember if I actually upvoted it (I upvoted glass and weather for sure) but I know a lot of people seemed excited by it which also helps sway my votes.
For inclement weather, I was hoping to find a climate change book that involves storms, floods, etc. but I'm finding a lot with fire and drought instead. So I'm out of luck there. 3 of the books I read this month included heavy rainstorms, so I think we'll all stumble across rain unexpectedly.
American Dirt included a sudden rainstorm and flash flood in the dessert, and the whole book was really interesting. Two of the characters grew up in a rain forest. The controversy over the book wasn't really about this book, it was about the fact that there aren't more Mexican author's "own voices" in the publishing industry. I recommend it, if you can handle a tough trip. It would also work this year for the travel or immigration prompt
Nadine wrote: "Two great winners and an oh boyo for me.We all know how publishers use a certain type of cover art for a certain type of book, to attract likely readers ... whatever type of book it is that gets ..."
The Handwriting list seems heavy with realistic stories, coming of age and coming out stories, but not fantasy themes. Maybe the publishing intended the handwriting to give a suggestion that it's a PERSONAL story. Or we just need more people to add books from their own TBRs with books from different genres.
I was first looking only for cursive writing, but I have no problem with the casual messy printing. They look like handwriting too. I guess a lot of schools stopped teaching cursive writing in recent years. So I think both are OK. Realistically, everything we see that looks like handwriting could be a font.
I haven't found anything at all for glass. Maybe it will broaden out as more people add books from other genres. I'd like it to be a real theme in the book, not just a tiny part of a picture. There was a giveaway recently for a book with a painting of a man looking in a mirror. I think it had a narcissus theme. Does anyone remember that?
NancyJ wrote: "I haven't found anything at all for glass. Maybe it will broaden out as more people add books from other genres. I'd like it to be a real theme in the book, not just a tiny part of a picture. The..."
If you've not read it, The Glass Hotel keeps coming back to glass in the story.
The books I was thinking of for Exploration would fit into one of the Continent prompts. There are a lot of Antarctica books. The north poll books might fit different continents. Greenland's with North America I think, Iceland with northern Europe. South America has the mountains, Galapagos, Patagonia, Cape Horn. I'd ask anyone who had books in mind for Exploration to please add them to a continent listopia while it's still fresh in your mind. Or they might work for a 2021 travel or ice prompt.
Though I was hoping to find a more personal or cultural type of exploration. Maybe anthropology related.
NancyJ wrote: "I haven't found anything at all for glass. Maybe it will broaden out as more people add books from other genres. I'd like it to be a real theme in the book, not just a tiny part of a picture. The..."
A book about or taking place in Venice could work, as Venice is the city of glass.
Kim wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I haven't found anything at all for glass. Maybe it will broaden out as more people add books from other genres. I'd like it to be a real theme in the book, not just a tiny part of a..."Ooh, that sounds perfect. Venice is one of my Bucket list Destinations. Virtual (armchair) travel might have to do, for now anyway. Thanks Kim!
For handwriting, I figured that it would be pretty easy for people to tailor to their preferred level of difficulty. Personally, I'm going to go for a book that's using actual handwriting as a cover decoration, rather than a book with a cursive or handwriting inspired font as the title. So I'm thinking something like:
But I also might be open to using a cover with a title font that was sufficiently idiosyncratic, that looks like scrawled handwriting
I'm really excited for inclement weather, even though I don't have any idea what I'll read for it. But I feel like it's a great theme prompt, because it's distinctive enough that not every book will fit, but also not the kind of thing that feels like it would be a spoiler to know about a book in advance.
I'm leaning toward Strange Weather for inclement weather, it's 4 novellas that all include weather-related events.If I don't do that, I would like to read a book where Hurricane Katrina is the focus, and Salvage the Bones is at the top of my list in that area.
Does anyone know if The Great Alone would work for inclement weather? I don't see it on the listopia but the description seems like it would fit. I want to try and avoid using title/cover for this prompt but can't find too many options.
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I have so many books with ..."
Good idea! I totally recommend Brilliant Beacons: A History of the American Lighthouse
I always find it interesting as I go through the book picking process to discover the weird hang ups and internal dialog I have with certain prompts. Its funny how I need to make sure that I am following my interpretation of the intent of the prompt to a tee. Initially I didn't have any for the Handwriting prompt but might have developed some after reading the discussion. I went down a bit of a google rabbit hole looking for handwriting font origins. In any case it has made the prompt more interesting to me so that is a plus!
Beth wrote: "Does anyone know if The Great Alone would work for inclement weather? I don't see it on the listopia but the description seems like it would fit. I want to try and avoid using title..."It's been a few years since I read it but IIRC there was a snow storm at one point in the novel.
I really liked all the winners and voted for them, so I am so excited about these results! I think they are all a bit more challenging which I am into and am excited to get into the planning process for these.And I think the group must really not like to read about unpleasant characters, between antihero and mad bad and dangerous and morally grey all not making it (although mad bad was a close call). I'd love to think of a clever way to resubmit this idea for the next poll, but I'm out of ideas.
Beth wrote: "Does anyone know if The Great Alone would work for inclement weather? I don't see it on the listopia but the description seems like it would fit. I want to try and avoid using title..."I've read it, and I totally think it would fit.
Pamela wrote: "Ellie wrote: "I like the idea of combining the anniversary of the lens used in lighthouses with the glass prompt, so I'll likely read a lighthouse book as there are a few on my radar.I have so ma..."
Thank you for the Brilliant Beacons recommendation Pamela! I won a copy of this book in a GR contest in 2016 but never read it. 2022 might be the year I read it! I also like the book for the water prompt.
NancyJ wrote: "For inclement weather, I was hoping to find a climate change book that involves storms, floods, etc. but I'm finding a lot with fire and drought instead. So I'm out of luck there. 3 of the books ..."
The novels Their Eyes Were Watching God and Salvage the Bones are both set in the southern US and have hurricanes as major plot points.
Two of the three winners were in my bottom votes, so not a great week for me.
I voted for one of the winners. The other two are ones I was neutral on. They are easy enough.
I voted for one of the winners and the other two were in my bottom votes. I'm relieved I can find books for the ones that won based on the books listed in designated prompt lists. Title/cover/letter prompts are my least favorite prompts (I really don't see the point of them) and I have been struggling with those prompts for the 2021 challenge. I hope 2022 isn't as difficult.
I'm a little confused about the handwriting prompt now. I originally interpreted handwriting as cursive writing, but judging by some of the comments and examples on the list, I don't think that's what was meant?
Nancy/Kim/Alicia - thank you! :)
Rachel wrote: "I'm a little confused about the handwriting prompt now. I originally interpreted handwriting as cursive writing, but judging by some of the comments and examples on the list, I don't think that's w..."The broad interpretation is any lettering that looks hand-written rather than typeface. But of course anyone can set their own specific limitations to make it more challenging.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
And Then There Were None (other topics)Dear Martin (other topics)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (other topics)
The Office of Historical Corrections (other topics)
The Office of Historical Corrections (other topics)
More...
Top:
A book related to glass
A book with handwriting on the cover
A book related to inclement weather
Bottom:
A book published by one of the 9 best independent publishers in the US
Close Call:
A book with a theme of exploration
Listopias:
A book related to glass
A book with handwriting on the cover
A book related to inclement weather
The next round of suggestions will open around 7 pm CST tomorrow (Sept 23). Only 7 more prompts to go!