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[2022] Poll 15 Voting
I ended up going 5 up, 3 down. There were more I wanted to vote either way on but didn't have enough votes. The ones I left neutral were mainly the very broad ones that I can work with but would prefer not to make the list.My favourites this round were academic setting and character name beginning with A/T/Y. I hope at least one of those makes it.
4. Up and 4 down again. I can’t say I’m overexcited about any this time, but most are workable.
My favorites are Twilight Zone, Wonders of the World, and ISMs. They are not boring. Beatles, Firsts, Unlikely friendships. Twilight Zone is creative. It's wordy, but clear ideas shine through, and has exciting books.
Wonders of the World. You had me at Northern Lights.
ISMs. Good ideas for non-fiction readers.
Beatles. Good journalism ideas. Fun, not boring.
Firsts. Clear elegant concept. Fun or serious.
Which is a better bow to tradition? A.T.Y. letters or one year.
So before I vote... is the -ism prompt just for those listed, or is it open to literary/artistic movements like Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism, Impressionism, etc.? The wording on the list still mentions bias specifically, and that is very limiting. The conversation in the thread seems all over the place, so I am confused.
@Angie, I believe Emily said the examples would be taken out on the final list, which would open it up to any form of “-ism”. If not, I think it could certainly be a KIS option, like Robin said.
I think I’ve changed my mind about some of these prompts. Favorites are still Twilight Zone and Wonders of the World, but I’ve softened towards ATY character (since it’s related to our group) and the Beatles since it’s not boring. I regret not voting for the character who loves books since I’d strongly prefer that to a library/bookstore setting - I don’t think I’ve ever read a book set primarily in a library or bookstore, though I’ve read quite a few with characters who love reading. Still thinking about what to downvote, but leaning towards liminality/transitions (too broad and easy), firsts (hard for me to find a book that specifically centers around a first rather than just featuring one), and unlikely friendship (I don’t read a lot of books centered around friendships, but when I do, I don’t think they’re abnormally unlikely).
Mod
I followed the discussion earlier but I didn't think we reached a consensus on changing the wording to something that represented bias directly.
Mods— I might have voted twice in error by pushing the IM FINISHED button twice. Please only count one… they are the same. Thank you. Lizzy
After much waffling, I went 2/6.I only upvoted:
A book with pictures or illustrations
A book with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads
Mod
Mod
My votes were spread 5 up, 3 down. Up votes were book with pictures/illustrations, academic setting, library/bookstore setting, bees, and unlikely friendship.
Down: Fewer than 5000 ratings because I've done this in other challenges for the last three years, ATY in name because I don't like letter prompts, and pleasant word in title.
It looks like we're spread out all over the place on this round of votes. I hope we get more than 3 prompts. It's been a long summer and I'm ready for a wrap-up.
I had downvoted the Twilight Zone prompt the first few times it was nominated, but I want more fun prompts, so I upvoted it this time. I also like the Beatles prompt, related to bees, and the ATY prompt. I don't really remember what else I voted for, but I did downvote the ism prompt, and I'm now regretting it. Also, if we are going to get pedantic, it should be Beatles' with the apostrophe after the s to show the possessive because we are talking about the songs that belong to The Beatles)
I found some books with cross-generational friendships for unlikely friendship:The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot
The Lightkeeper's Daughters
News of the World
The Authenticity Project
The Lost Apothecary
Non-human - human friendships:
Klara and the Sun
His Majesty's Dragon. Now that I discovered the Temeraire books, I'm finding they fit in unexpected places. I have something else in mind for the dragons prompt.
A Closed and Common Orbit
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Beatles SongsSome are easy just based on the titles or one line.
Here Comes the Sun - a book with an "it gets better" theme, maybe gay YA
Yesterday - a book with someone pining for yesterday, regret, breakup, nostalgia
Revolution - books about social movements, demonstrations, revolutions - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, The Hate You Give, She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement
Norwegian Wood - Norwegian Wood
Blackbird - One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow, Blackbird House
When I’m 64 – a book with a long married couple – Outlander, Voyager
"I get by with a little help from my friends" is one of my favorites. It could fit a book about friendship, or how a little support from people really helps, a book about a deep act of kindness, or a book about groups or teamwork. Or a book about the friendship between the Beatles themselves.
Let it Be – A book about someone who is comforted by the memory of someone they lost. (Paul's ‘mother Mary’ died when he was young). Dear Edward
Eleanor Rigby - a book with a non-sentimental view of a solitary time of life. (There are a lot of books with this theme.)
She loves you. – a friend intercedes to help a man realize the woman loves him.
Strawberry Fields Forever –about an orphanage garden or artistic struggling
I saw her standing there – "she was just 17, if you know what I mean." A book about a boy who admires a girl from afar.
Don’t let me down – a plaintive love story, the excitement of new love
Rocky Raccoon – a book about a healthcare provider who is impaired by alcohol. Or a raccoon.
Beatles songs and Me Too MovementSexy Sadie – A book about a sexual predator or inappropriate religious figure. This song was initially titled "Maharishi" about a hypocritical religious leader who was a sexual predator. (Based on a visit by the Beatle's with Mia Farrow and her sister Prudence.)
Dear Prudence – A book about a women who is overly impressed by someone who is not who he seems to be.
This makes an interesting link to Ronan Farrow who wrote Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators
A History of Loneliness - about a priest's view of the sex abuse scandals
Pamela wrote: "Joan wrote: "At one point I was going to suggest a prompt relating to a Beatles song. I was going to try and do something on the cover related to one of their songs. Blackbird first comes to mind f..."Thanks Pam, I want to read more Alice Hoffman too.
I only upvoted 3 this time: academic setting, ATY, and unlikely friendship.I downvoted bees and Twilight Zone. I didn't like them the first time they were suggested and I'm still not a fan. I also downvoted set within a year since it seemed a bit difficult to research, and Wonders of the World. I realized after my comment yesterday that the Wonders one wasn't really a setting prompt like I thought, but still doesn't appeal to me that much. I also downvoted Beatles since it seemed like too much of a freebie to me, and I'm a little burnt out on their music after hearing it nonstop at work for the past year.
Rachel wrote: "I only upvoted 3 this time: academic setting, ATY, and unlikely friendship.I downvoted bees and Twilight Zone. I didn't like them the first time they were suggested and I'm still not a fan. I als..."
I know you're burnt out on the beatles, but if you happen to think of any relevant books, can you let me know? I want to add to my list for a side challenge. I know how it is when you hear the same songs over and over. I haven't listened to them in ages, so I've been having fun reading lyrics and stories about what inspired the songs.
I'm especially looking for more books about friendship. ("I get by with a little help from my friends" is one of my favorites.) Books about kindness, how a little support from people really helps, or book about groups or teamwork.
They Both Die at the End
Dear Edward
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
A Man Called Ove
His Majesty's Dragon
She Who Became the Sun
NancyJ- Here are a few Beatles ideas:-A Day in the life: “I read the news today”-journalism, news stories, Scoop by Waugh
-Paperback Writer: character who is a writer (Misery; the Zuckerman series by Philip Roth), “It’s a thousand pages”- book with >1000 pages
-I am the Walrus:
“Sitting in an English garden”- The Secret Garden
“Man you should see them kicking Edgar Allen Poe”-Poe book
-Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds:
“Your head in the clouds”- Cloud Cuckoo Land; Cloud Atlas
“Picture yourself on a train in a station”- any book with a train setting; The Winter Station by Jody Shields
-Rain: The Gift of Rain
-The Long and Winding Road: The Road, On the Road, Travels with Charley by Steinbeck
I didn't vote for the bookstore/library prompt but 3 books that I really enjoyed are: The Uncommon Reader (mobile library), The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, and The Shadow of the Wind. For non-fiction - The Library Book is really good.
Pam wrote: "NancyJ- Here are a few Beatles ideas:-A Day in the life: “I read the news today”-journalism, news stories, Scoop by Waugh
-Paperback Writer: character who is a writer (Misery; the Zuckerman serie..."
I like these too. We must all be baby boomers.
The Long and Winding Road - Great song. Steinbeck or other travel books.
Octopus's Garden - Lily and the Octopus, The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness, Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness
Across the Universe - People getting mellow, meditating, dreaming, or just floating along letting the craziness of the world slide on by. Or a book about space.
We just watched The Voice and the final number was "We Can Work It Out" by a female singer. I almost didn't recognize it. It would be a good song for any book involving couples "fussing and fighting."
Pam wrote: "I didn't vote for the bookstore/library prompt but 3 books that I really enjoyed are: The Uncommon Reader (mobile library), The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, and [book:..."I haven't decided about the library/bookstore yet. I liked A.J Fikry too. I recommend The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (about librarians that traveled by horse or mule). Uncommon Reader.
KP - Yes, I’m a baby boomer but just BARELY. I hadn’t thought about Octopuses Garden. That’s an interesting one! I really like Across the Universe for sci-fi options like Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I heard the song Little Child today. The line “I’m so sad and lonely” reminded me of the book A Little Life by Yanagihara with that depressed, anguished man’s face on the cover. There are plenty of books with sad and lonely characters! I also like the “We can work it out” idea for a book about a relationship.
NancyJ wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I only upvoted 3 this time: academic setting, ATY, and unlikely friendship.I downvoted bees and Twilight Zone. I didn't like them the first time they were suggested and I'm still n..."
I can try, but it's a bit hard for me to narrow down since nearly everything can relate to something in their lyrics, I'm sure.
The one that comes to mind is Octopus's Garden, which was a song that was actually newer to me. There's a line in it at that says "I'd like to be, under the sea" and I remember someone was thinking of suggesting a book set underwater. This might be a good chance to fit that in.
My irl bookclub decided on a Black History theme for February and a Women's History theme for March. We don't have prompts for either one, so I hope that "A book related to firsts" wins this round, so I can suggest one of those books. Someone is suggesting a book on Bach (and antisemitism) for the bc, which could be good (or not). ISMs might also have something related to my school work for next year too. I'm voting for Unlikely Friendship, Firsts, Isms, Twilight Zone (hospital setting), Bees (I don't know why), and Beatles (for my sister). I'm going to try to do all upvotes to help this process get finished.
Rachel wrote: "The one that comes to mind is Octopus's Garden, which was a song that was actually newer to me. There's a line in it at that says "I'd like to be, under the sea" and I remember someone was thinking of suggesting a book set underwater. This might be a good chance to fit that in. ..."
That sounds like fun. I'm trying to sing that song in my head, but a Little Mermaid song is getting in the way. 🎵
The Deep would fit. Or the one above Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness. I'm thinking of studying neuroscience so it should try it.
Kendra wrote: "I had downvoted the Twilight Zone prompt the first few times it was nominated, but I want more fun prompts, so I upvoted it this time. I also like the Beatles prompt, related to bees, and the ATY p..."Sorry Kendra, this is actually the first time it's been suggested since Poll 1, but I guess I asked for feedback a few times in the Wild Discussion so it made it seem like this was suggested multiple times before. It seems to be a polarizing prompt, but I thought it'd be worth a try since it had no designation in Poll 1.
Irene wrote: "Kendra wrote: "I had downvoted the Twilight Zone prompt the first few times it was nominated, but I want more fun prompts, so I upvoted it this time. I also like the Beatles prompt, related to bees..."I could have sworn it had been suggested more than once. Either way, my opinion on it has changed although I don't think the same can be said for everyone else who is voting....
I've been feeling a little frustrated with the way the voting has been going. I started doing ATY because I loved how the prompts weren't just run of the mill read a book from genre X, a book with X on the cover, a book with an author who is X etc. It was the off the wall prompts like the Twilight Zone prompt that I loved. But nobody seems to be voting for them this year. Oh well, I will feel more positive once the prompts are all set and I can start looking forward to what I'm going to read for them.
Mod
Ehh I wouldn’t consider flora/fauna that creative. Popsugar did have flora/fauna related to author, and this year we have something flowery/green on the cover. So really next years just makes it even more broad and easier to fill.
I don't know if there's any way for mods to know this/if it's something that can be shared, but I'm wondering if we have a different group of voters this year compared to previous years? I've been in this group a long time and I've definitely noticed a lot of newer people participating in the discussions/suggestions and don't see some of the people who were long time members. I'm just curious if some of the shift we've seen in the voting is because it's a lot of different people.
Rachel wrote: "I don't know if there's any way for mods to know this/if it's something that can be shared, but I'm wondering if we have a different group of voters this year compared to previous years? I've been ..."I also wonder if some of the shift has to due with being able to use the 8 votes anyway we want. I could be wrong on the time but it seems the change from 4 up and 4 down happened in the middle of voting last year.
I’ve noticed that while we have more interesting/fun prompts than Popsugar, since they’re individually voted on they end up skewing a lot easier. I love the Tarot card prompt but the meaning of the cards have such a huge range than any fiction book is going to contain a theme related to at least one card (like Death, which represents change). It’s also similar to this year’s character from a deck of cards. But it’s nice to have an easier challenge when there are more difficult ones out there already that hurt my brain.
I think the group's choices for prompts have gotten more creative over the years. Here's the list from the first year we voted for our own prompts - 2016:
The 2016 List
1. A book you meant to read in 2015, but didn't
2. A book set in a different continent
3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015 (winner or nominated)
4. A book by an author you discovered in 2015
5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name
6. The highest rated on your TBR
7. A book about books
8. A classic book with less than 200 pages
9. A book that was mentioned in another book
10. A book by an author you feel you should have read by now
11. A book from the Rory Gilmore challenge
12. A childhood classic
13. Reader’s Choice
14. A book with one of the five W’s -or H in the title (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How)
15. A book set in the past (more than 100 years ago)
16. A book from the top 100 mystery novels
17. A book with a beautiful cover
18. A book on a summer/beach reading list
19. A non-fiction book
20. A book with a first name in the title
21. A book from the Goodreads Recommendations page
22. The first book in a new to you series
23. The next book in a series you are reading
24. A "between the numbers" book of a series (0.5, 1,5, 2.5, etc.)
25. A book whose main character is in a profession that interests you
26. A book everyone is talking about
27. A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion)
28. A biography, autobiography, or memoir
29. A book by an author who writes under more than one name
30. A fairytale from a culture other than your own
31. A work of young adult fiction
32. A historical fiction book
33. The 16th book on your TBR
34. A book about mental illness
35. An award winning book
36. An identity book - a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation
37. A book that you've seen the movie of but haven't read
38. A book about an anti hero
39. A previous suggestion that did not make it into the list
40. A novella from your favorite genre
41. A book about a major world event (fiction or non-fiction)
42. A top 100 fantasy novel
43. A book about a thing that goes bump in the night
44. A book you're embarrassed to read in public
45. A book related to a hobby or passion you have
46. A crime story
47. A book with a type of food/drink in the title
48. A dystopia
49. A book with a great opening line
50. A book originally written in a language other than English
51. A short story from a well-known author
52. A book published in 2016
List created by the group members, after suggestions and votes.
Kathy wrote: "I think the group's choices for prompts have gotten more creative over the years. Here's the list from the first year we voted for our own prompts - 2016:
The 2016 List
1. A book you meant to rea..."
Wow, interesting that the mental illness prompt made it that year, it always seems so polarizing when it comes up in some form. And the title beginning with the first letter of your first name, since people seem to not like the more personal prompts. Really interesting to see how things have evolved over time.
I think it's interesting too, Irene. There are quite a few "opinion" prompts too that I was surprised to see:A book by an author you feel you should have read by now
A book with a beautiful cover
A book everyone is talking about
A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion)
A book you're embarrassed to read in public
A book with a great opening line
Kathy - that list brings back memories…. I joined ATY in the middle of that year.
I love the “goes bump in the night” prompt!I definitely think we are more creative than we’ve been in the past and more than a lot of other challenges. But for me, it starts to feel like there are a lot of repeats over the years with all challenges, that the creative ones like here there be dragons, inclement weather, and, possibly twilight zone if it gets in, stand out and excite me more. That may just be challenge fatigue though.
I do too! To both. I think this list already has more creative or unusual prompts than last year, but I don't do pop sugar so I don't have the same perspective you do. And I'm also looking at the prompts that didn't make it in (yet), so I could be off.Emily said that many people vote but don't participate in discussions, so I imagine that some of them are looking for the traditional types of prompts that fit common categories. And some are looking for something new.
Groups need new blood to bring in new ideas or perspectives, and experienced people to maintain steadiness and build on what works. There will always be a tension there, but it's necessary to avoid stagnation.
I think you just changed my vote on Twilight zone.
Kathy wrote: "I think it's interesting too, Irene. There are quite a few "opinion" prompts too that I was surprised to see:A book by an author you feel you should have read by now
A book with a beautiful cover..."
I sort of like having personal prompts. They balance out the more mechanical ones (about letters, pictures, etc). We all have subjective reactions, and I love a "beautiful" book (almost anything by Amy Harmon). I don't often notice covers, but I do have some now that I think are particularly beautiful.
When I was first deciding whether to try this challenge, I think I felt reassured by the favorite author prompt, and a book you consider a "comfort" read. When I was sick, certain audiobooks provided real comfort, so that helped. Before that I might not have though about comfort.
Otherwise I prefer the more conceptual prompts, genres and themes.
After doing challenges, I have found there are certain prompts I just really don’t like. Sometimes my favorite prompts are ones I down vote and my least favorite are ones that I up vote. Though there are definitely ones that I down vote and dislike and up vote and love.
Jilliam, but what if your old favorite was really good and could become a favorite for other people too? I get it though. Sometimes I avoid my favorites, as though I have to wait to have my desert, and instead pick something challenging that might be "good for me." I call them "spinach" books. I set a goal to read about three different revolutions this year. I still have to read a book about the Russian Revolution, and I'm putting it off, like spinach.
For the first time ever I didn't use all 8 votes - used 7 with 5 upvotes and 2 downvotes. Just didn't feel strongly enough about the others to vote either way.
Pam wrote: "KP - Yes, I’m a baby boomer but just BARELY. I hadn’t thought about Octopuses Garden. That’s an interesting one! I really like Across the Universe for sci-fi options like Hitchhikers Guide to the G..."Pam, the cover for A Little Life is so painful, it's hard to forget. It's practically iconic. The reviews describe it as incredibly sad, so I never wanted to read it. But I learned something new about that book recently. It's not a picture of pain, it's um, a moment of ecstasy.
Pam wrote: "NancyJ- Here are a few Beatles ideas:-A Day in the life: “I read the news today”-journalism, news stories, Scoop by Waugh
-Paperback Writer: character who is a writer (Misery; the Zuckerman serie..."
Thanks for these! There are quite a few books that could work for "picture yourself on a train in a station." I'll be humming that line for a while tonight as I try to think of them. Orphan Train maybe?
NancyJ -Wow. I didn’t realize that since I haven’t read the book! The cover is such a turn off for me. I would hate to look at it every time I opened the book.
Irene wrote: "Wow, interesting that the mental illness prompt made it that year, it always seems so polarizing when it comes up in some form. And the title beginning with the first letter of your first name, since people seem to not like the more personal prompts. Really interesting to see how things have evolved over time...."Sometimes people don't want a prompt again because they did it once, recently, and that felt like enough. And sometimes I think people try a prompt, realize they don't like it, and then never want it again - I don't know for sure, but I get the feeling that's what's going on with the personalized prompts.
Mod
The shift actually happened in the middle of the 2019 (or maybe even 2018...?) voting, so this is our 2nd or 3rd year having the ability to use 8 votes however we'd like. I started as a mod towards the end of voting on the 2020 list, and it was already in place when I started as mod.
I can't say for certain, but I do think some of our more vocal members in years past have taken more of a backseat in the group, but still vote (like dalex, and some of our mods that aren't as active anymore). Our number of votes this year were a bit higher than last year, and the number of votes last year were a bit higher than the year before.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship (other topics)A Skeleton in the Family (other topics)
Straight Man (other topics)
Changing Places (other topics)
Changing Places (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ronan Farrow (other topics)Craig Rice (other topics)
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FGBH5S/"
Emily, I thought that the IS..."
Maybe the expanded "ism" ideas could be a KIS