Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2022] Poll 17 Voting
I voted! I went 8 up this time. I feel like this is the best set of prompts we have had in a while and I am bummed that only two can make the list! At least I know these last two will probably be prompts I can get excited about - whatever they end up being.
Shannon wrote: "Alicia wrote: "does anyone have and suggestions or examples for fiction books related to the psychology/neuroscience prompt?"I highly, HIGHLY recommend All My Puny Sorrows by Miri..."
This sounds great. Could you add it to the listopia? I think I have another one of her books on my tbr.
Sister books can really get to me. I also liked When We Believed in Mermaids - set in New Zealand.
I had to push Finish Survey twice when I voted, so I’m not sure if it duplicated my votes. Just a heads up. :)
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I also highly recommend Lisa Genova's books. I've read all of them, including her recent book on memory, Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting which was really interesting. My claim to fame: she responded to my question when she did an AMA on Reddit!In order of my favorites:
Still Alice - Alzheimer's
Inside the O'Briens - Huntington's (a neurodegenerative disease)
Every Note Played - ALS
Left Neglected - traumatic brain injury
Love Anthony - autism
For this prompt I'd probably do a psychological thriller.
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Nancy wrote: "I also highly recommend Lisa Genova's books. I've read all of them, including her recent book on memory, Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting which was really i..."Great list. Can you add them and vote on the listopia?
I loved Still Alice and Every Note Played. The psychological issues were deep and varied with both books, on top of the neurological conditions. I'll eventually read all her books too, but they didn't seem to fit my plan this year.
Where does the memory book rank with the others? I have always been fascinated by memory, even when I was 20 and knew nothing about my family history of Alzheimer's.
I just read Who is Maud Dixon (for a book set in Morocco), which is a fun psychological thriller (not too dark or violent). There seem to be a lot of twisty books about authors. Ladder to the Sky by Boynes was really good.
I added them. The memory book was really good, really fascinating. It was comforting to learn my memory isn't bad, I'm usually just not paying attention.I also added The Stranger in the Mirror but to say why it fits would be a spoiler. The main character has amnesia but there's more to it.
Robin P wrote: "I upvoted 7. I think many of us voted for a lot of these, which might mean votes get split too much and we have fewer winners!"I went 4 up/4 down for just this reason. Hoping we get two winners out of this one and wanted to give my favorites a better shot. Excited to see how it shakes out!
I agree with those with thought there were lots of good choices here. I wish we had more spaces left to fill (or could replace some of the earlier choices). I ended up with 7 upvotes and 1 down vote.
A few books with "rabbit" in the title. Black Rabbit Hall
The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes
Rabbit Cake
When God was a Rabbit
The Rabbit Back Literature Society
Rabbit Hole
The Rabbit Factor
The Constant Rabbit
The Rabbit Girls
The Night of Four Hundred Rabbits
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
To Catch A Rabbit
Rabbit Foot Bill
Bunny
One of the main characters in The Secret History (which is a fabulous book) is named Bunny.
There's more than a few books with rabbits on the cover.
And then there's Fibonacci. The original problem that Fibonacci investigated was about how fast rabbits could breed in ideal circumstances. The solution to this problem is the famous Fibonacci sequence so you could go sideways and do something related to Fibonacci.
The design of a lot of nature things is based on the Fibonacci Sequence - trees, flowers, fruits, goat horns, spider webs, shells. A book about music would work. Piano keys in an octave are made up of Fibonaccie Numbers; eight white, five black, and thirteen in all. The cochlea of the inner ear is a spiral that follows the Fibonacci Sequence, so a book with a character that has a hearing impairment or something like that.
Spiral galaxies follow the sequence, so any space sci-fi. And there’s the golden ratio. I don’t understand it but it has something to do with Fibonacci. So, gold in the title or set during the Gold Rush or something.
You could also go the romance route, where the characters, um, do something rabbits are known for.
Nancy wrote: "You could also go the romance route, where the characters, um, do something rabbits are known for."Haha so scandalous!!!
I also really like this group of prompts! I did 5 upvotes: famous pair, character who loves books (I will upvote EVERY TIME), Goodreads (because we're a Goodreads group and I usually pick up books I wouldn't have otherwise), psychology and bees.
My only downvotes are for ones that I feel like I've seen a lot in challenges: locked room/closed circle mystery, travel and fantasy.
Nancy wrote: "You could also go the romance route, where the characters, um, do something rabbits are known for."Oh, you mean a book where the characters eat lettuce, right? :)
dalex wrote: "A few books with "rabbit" in the title. LOL - I love the enthusiastic logic that takes you from Rabbits to an experiment using math theory, to music, hearing, and hearing disabilities, the Gold Rush, etc. Rabbits to Fibonacci, to spirals, to "any space sci-fi."
I'll add one:
You said Fibonacci is related to the Golden Ration. The Golden ratio was used by both Michelangelo and Leonardo DaVinci, whose art can be found all over the world, including The Vatican.
So Rabbits are related to Fibonacci, to The Golden Ratio, to Michelangelo to The Vatican, to the Pope to God ...
(wait for it)
back to When God Was a Rabbit
Robin P wrote: "I upvoted 7. I think many of us voted for a lot of these, which might mean votes get split too much and we have fewer winners!"A while ago Emily said it doesn't necessarily work that way. She described the formula. If people mostly used upvotes, the scores will be higher overall, allowing more books to exceed the threshhold to win. That's why we had more prompts make it in some months.
If people think that two prompts - let's say Rabbits and Bees - are direct competitors, those who want rabbits might vote down Bees, and vice versa. This could decrease both scores just enough so that neither one meets the score threshhold.
When two prompts are related, such as travel and exploration, some explained why they are choosing exploration over travel. If others agree with the logic, and vote for exploration but not travel, there is a better chance of one getting in.
I find it helpful to know which prompts are less popular, so that I can skip a downvote, and focus on upvoting the 8 that are most acceptable to me.
Nancy wrote: "I added them. The memory book was really good, really fascinating. It was comforting to learn my memory isn't bad, I'm usually just not paying attention.I also added [book:The Stranger in the Mir..."
That's good to know. Mine improved a great deal since I had a concussion, but I need to work at it. Reading helps.
After the accident I kept forgetting that I started cooking dinner, and I ruined a lot of pots. It scared my husband enough to start cooking. Now he cooks almost every night, and we're all happy to keep it that way now that I'm better. He likes it and he's gotten really really good.
Nancy wrote: "You could also go the romance route, where the characters, um, do something rabbits are known for."I would have liked this: A book related to Birds, Bees, or Rabbits. All three have great options on their own, and together they lead to a list of erotic romances, books on sex ed, or motherhood. :)
Voted. Since it is the end of the road, I went 3/5. Looking forward to seeing what we wind up with.
I have 11 favorites, and I'm planning to upvote 8 of them, and downvote none. In general, I'm choosing broader conceptual prompts over narrow ones.
2. A book about a woman who changed history
5. A book related to a famous pair - I need to explore this one
7. A book with a character who loves books
9. A winner or nominee from the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards
13. A book related to psychology, neuroscience or the mind
15. A book with a theme of exploration
11. A book shelved as literary fiction
12. A book with a main character that fits at least one of “mad, bad and dangerous to know”
10. A fantasy novel
14. A book related to bees
6. A book related to a rabbit
*I'm choosing exploration over travel, because I can read a travel book under exploration, or one of the continent prompts. I could also read a science or psychology books under exploration. This concept could really inspire me to pursue a new interest next year.
*I'm reading books for a "feminist" theme in another group this month. So if Women in History doesn't make it, I might read one of those books later this month. Same with Fantasy and witches.
*My bee and rabbit books could all fit with other prompts that already made it, plus fantasy or literary fiction.
*If Goodreads Choice doesn't make it this year, I might use it as a 5-10 book Non-fiction challenge- but including books from previous years. I let go of the feeling that it's "necessary" after seeing it lose so many times. I want to include previous years because I missed a lot of good books.
*Mad, bad and dangerous - I didn't vote for many of the bad/anti-hero prompts this year, but I'm considering it now.
*Famous Pairs - I need to look at this one again to see if it sparks something.
NancyJ wrote: "Steve wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Alicia wrote: "does anyone have and suggestions or examples for fiction books related to the psychology/neuroscience prompt?Trying this again because m..."
I guess I'm the exception. I found the book absolutely fascinating. Very dark of course, given the subject matter, but fascinating.
Angie wrote: "I need to spend some time mulling this over. There are several I like.I do feel like bees and rabbits are covered by other prompts, but I also like an underdog (underrabbit?), and that is certain..."
Angie I couldn't get my post to you to load this morning. If the psychology prompt wins, I can help you find a book that does NOT involve mental illness. I was a psychology major in college and took 10 courses on psych topics that didn't involve mental illness - perhaps a topic about personality (introversion), resilience, development/coming of age, social psychology, habits, behavior change, or work related topics. (I worked with organizational psychology topics for 30+ years.)
Mental illness is really strong in YA now, perhaps with goals of empathy, acceptance, suicide prevention, and the message that "It gets better." Some YA and adult books include mental health issues as a way to make a character more interesting or to connect with readers dealing with them - and many of those books lack the details and pain that might come from a more authentic voice. So they might be easier to read.
Mod
I really should hurry up and finish reading for this year's challenge...
Jackie wrote: "I went all 8 up this time. I just had so many that I had a ton of ideas for and none that I really wouldn't want to do. I really should hurry up and finish reading for this year's challenge..."
I'm feeling some pressure too to finish up. It was fun to be a part of this process even though it cut into my reading. I learned so much. I'm thinking of going back to school fulltime, so I hope I'll still have time to read for pleasure.
A book related to Psychology, Neuroscience and the Mind.NancyJ and others,
Did you see this main Neuroscience Page? It has newer books and more listopias. Just looking at this page gave my brain a little dopamine boost. I wish I could download these books directly into my brain now. (Is this how you felt before you decided to return to school?)
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/neur...
This next list is for anyone in a family/relationship/workplace with an emotionally abusive person. Run far away if you can.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Pearl wrote: "A book related to Psychology, Neuroscience and the Mind.NancyJ and others,
Did you see this main Neuroscience Page? It has newer books and more listopias. Just looking at this page gave my bra..."
I'm reading Bewilderment, the first book on the list. I would agree that it fits neuroscience and it also fits Earth Day.
Martha wrote: "Pearl wrote: "A book related to Psychology, Neuroscience and the Mind.I'm reading Bewilderment, the first book on the list. I would agree that it fits neuroscience and it also fits Earth Day.
..."
How is it so far? He also wrote the The Overstory which fits Earth Day, but it doesn't look like need to be read in order.
My mind just snapped to attention with a shift. I want to start the 2022 reading year, before I complete 2021. Does anyone else get like this at this time of year?
Mod
I can’t post the link, but the Smithsonian just published an excellent article about the population decline of bees. “The American Bumblebee Has Vanished From Eight States
In two decades, the insect's population has declined by nearly 90 percent due to a combination of threats, including habitat loss, pesticides and diseases”
Pearl wrote: "Martha wrote: "Pearl wrote: "A book related to Psychology, Neuroscience and the Mind.I'm reading Bewilderment, the first book on the list. I would agree that it fits neuroscience and it also fit..."
I don't like Bewilderment as much as Overstory but so far so good. I think Richard Powers has written some other novels that would fit with neuroscience. I'll have to look and will add them if this prompt is added to the 2022 list.
Edit: The Echo Maker, The Gold Bug Variations, and Galatea 2.2. The first and last feature neuroscientists.
At this time of year I become really paranoid that a book I want to read would be perfect for one of next years prompts. I'm reading with a focus on Black History Month at the moment and so far everything I have read or am planning to read would work for next year.
Robin P wrote: "Yes! I keep thinking the 2021 prompts were from 2020, they seem so old. I have 3 more books needed for 2021 and can’t get excited about them."I have ONE more to finish this year's challenge! My problem is I keep reading new releases that I get excited about but do not fit the ONE prompt I have left. Ugh.
NancyJ wrote: "So Rabbits are related to Fibonacci, to The Golden Ratio, to Michelangelo to The Vatican, to the Pope to God ...(wait for it)
back to When God Was a Rabbit"
Bahahaha! That's hysterical!!!
Rosemary wrote: "Nancy wrote: "You could also go the romance route, where the characters, um, do something rabbits are known for."Oh, you mean a book where the characters eat lettuce, right? :)"
Of course, what else could I mean? ;)
I have 7 prompts left for this year, plus the one I'm reading now. There are 3 months left in the year so I'm not worried about not finishing. Plus that helps me not be anxious to start next year's challenge until 2022.
I have 8 prompts left for the year, problem is I seem to have a resistance to the books that I slotted in for them and keep reading books that don't fit any of them!
Pearl wrote: "Martha wrote: "Pearl wrote: "A book related to Psychology, Neuroscience and the Mind.I'm reading Bewilderment, the first book on the list. I would agree that it fits neuroscience and it also fit...
How is it so far? He also wrote the The Overstory which fits Earth Day, but it doesn't look like need to be read in order.
My mind just snapped to attention with a shift. I want to start the 2022 reading year, before I complete 2021. Does anyone else get like this at this time of year?"
Ha! Ha! Isn't that why we're all here right now?!? LOL 😂
QUESTION: has there ever been a poll where none got in or are we confident there will be no poll 19?
Mod
IS it possible for there to be no winner in a poll?
Since, I have joined there was only one poll with no winner. That year there could only be one multi week winner and we had two prompts tie as the winning prompt so we had a tie breaker poll.
Kat wrote: "At this time of year I become really paranoid that a book I want to read would be perfect for one of next years prompts. I'm reading with a focus on Black History Month at the moment and so far eve..."I’m the same. Glad I’m not the only one.
I'm another one itching to get started on the 2022 challenge! I still have a lot of prompts to complete this year (around 14 I think) so it will almost certainly take me to the end of the year. Maybe part of it is that I have all the books lined up for those prompts so I feel like I don't have much flexibility. I need to stop looking at my planning spreadsheet as I have all the shiny new books I'm excited to get to next year on there!
Nancy wrote: "I also highly recommend Lisa Genova's books. I've read all of them, including her recent book on memory, Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting which was really i..."I ordered Every Note Played for the library when it was published in 2018 and it's one I always recommend. I read it before I became active on GoodReads so I haven't marked it as read.
Another good book that comes under ALS: May I Cross Your Golden River? also published as: A Time to Love, a Time to Mourn
I enjoy reading the comments about why or why not someone voted for the prompt. It's interesting to see the different views everyone has on things.I have voted this time and went 7 up and 1 down.
My down vote went for: A winner or nominee from the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards. I felt we had enough of this type prompt with the others that made it. If it makes it, I'll most likely, if I don't change my mind (which is possible) use a wild card in its place. I'm trying to limit my wild cards to 3 and since I've used 1 other. I have 1 left to go if I need it.
I up voted:
A book about a woman who changed history -- I can read a biography or some other non-fiction type book, which I've been trying to read more of.
A locked room or closed circle mystery: Mysteries are my favorite genre.
A book less than 220 pages OR more than 440 pages. I have some chunksters on my list for next year.
A book related to a famous pair. This sounds like a fun search.
A book related to a rabbit. I like rabbits and it sounds like a fun and flexible search.
A book involving travel: fiction or non-fiction, terrestrial or other. I like the idea of travel.
A book related to psychology, neuroscience or the mind. This one sounds interesting.
Which ever way the voting goes, I'll be fine with whatever is chosen. I have most of my reading choices made for ATY 2022 already -- I like having things planned -- though, I am able to be flexible when the mood takes me in a different direction. And I'm looking forward to seeing what the final 2 choices will be.
Pearl wrote: "A book related to Psychology, Neuroscience and the Mind.NancyJ and others,
Did you see this main Neuroscience Page? It has newer books and more listopias. Just looking at this page gave my bra..."
Pearl wrote: "A book related to Psychology, Neuroscience and the Mind.
NancyJ and others,
Did you see this main Neuroscience Page? It has newer books and more listopias. Just looking at this page gave my bra..."
Yes, that's exactly how I felt when I knew it was time to go back to school. Hungry! Hungry for knowledge. Learning is one of my signature character strengths. (I'll look for the test for you.)
Great page. I need to use the new format when looking for tags now.
Good find too on the books about emotionally abusive people. One of those books might be a life saver to someone. At work, beware of narcissistic leaders, and the dark side of charisma.
Alicia wrote: "I can’t post the link, but the Smithsonian just published an excellent article about the population decline of bees. “The American Bumblebee Has Vanished From Eight States
In two decades, the in..."
Thanks Alicia, it's so easy to forget that this is still happening. It's easy to forget how important they are to our ecosystems. They're like the (dead) birds in the coal mines - a warning that the world is becoming unsafe for living beings. We can't all just jump on a space ship to another planet, so we need to do something. I'm a little ashamed that until now I always said "they" need to do something - meaning the government. They're so divided, they can't get anything done without a lot of pressure from citizens in all parties. We need to figure out what we as individuals can do. The term "climate change" has become so politicized, it's making it harder to find all the areas of agreement.
I'm in a new local book club, and there is one member who makes jokes suggesting she doesn't believe in climate change. It makes me want to find a novel that has a good secondary plot with an environmental message (without mentioning "climate change" ). Perhaps something involving bees, ecosystems and our food supply.
Any suggestions for a specific book?
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Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting (other topics)Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting (other topics)
May I Cross Your Golden River? (other topics)
Every Note Played (other topics)
A Time to Love, a Time to Mourn (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Yaa Gyasi (other topics)David Eagleman (other topics)
Trying this again because m..."
i neevr read the Kevin book ocs I foudn watching the movie to be torture.