[2023] Wild Discussion Showing 701-750 of 4,060

[Shannon SA]

I wouldn't vote for "a book that coined a popular phrase..." but I would look further at "a book connected to a popular/commonly used phrase".

[Joyce]

I tried for a book title containing a word/phrase first coined by Shakespeare some years ago but it lead ballooned (not a phrase of his).

The total list of Shakespeare first uses is huge but some of the commonest ones are here along with their origins:

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/bio...

[Ellie]

"A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom" was a Popsugar prompt in 2019, so that thread might help people.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'm not really keen on repeating it though.

[Steve]

Thanks for all the feedback! I agree that many might find this to be a "forcing me to read a classic" type prompt. I'm never a HUGE fan of "connected to" phrases in prompts, but might use it with this one because I like the concept.

[Jill]

Thinking about Steve’s idea, I found this, and wondered what people think. There seemed a lot that could be used for books

https://preply.com/en/blog/popular-en...

[Nadine in NY]

Jill wrote: "I have never heard of 23 Skidoo before and looked it up on google. Seems it is an American phrase. In Britain it is a punk music group."



I'd never heard it before either - if it's American, it's regional, and never made it to my area of NY/NJ. Until your comment, I was assuming it was one of those BINGO call-outs (because I don't know any of those phrases).


After googling, I see some theorize that the origin is from Sydney Carton's parting line in A Tale of Two Cities

[Nadine in NY]

Ellie wrote: ""A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom" was a Popsugar prompt in 2019, so that thread might help people.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"



Oh I'd forgotten about that!! I did NOT have a good time with that category. I ended up reading Twelfth Night because I just couldn't find anything else.

[Steve]

Nadine in NY wrote: "Jill wrote: "I have never heard of 23 Skidoo before and looked it up on google. Seems it is an American phrase. In Britain it is a punk music group."



I'd never heard it before either - if it's A..."

That’s funny because I’m from north Jersey and knew the phrase! It’s definitely an older one that’s not in fashion in modern society, so I’m not sure how it came part of my knowledge over the years! Maybe my grandpa introduced me to it. I feel like it was in classic cartoons, too.

[Nadine in NY]

Steve wrote: "That’s funny because I’m from north Jersey and knew the phrase! It’s definitely an older one that’s not in fashion in modern society, so I’m not sure how it came part of my knowledge over the years! Maybe my grandpa introduced me to it. I feel like it was in classic cartoons, too..."


LOL! I am from central NJ (although some people inexplicably identify Union County as North NJ and are under the misapprehension that Central NJ does not exist) and I think I'm older than you. So there is no explanation! No one in my family, including my grandparents (who were born in the early years of the 20th century) ever used this phrase.

[Nancy]

North Jersey (originally) checking in, and I've also heard the phrase. I just asked my husband (lived in North Jersey from teenager on) and he thinks he first heard it on Bugs Bunny!

Amusing side note - our son did a summer concert class and they played part of The Barber of Seville. My husband leaned over and whispered "is it just me, or does this remind you of Bugs Bunny?" I don't think the people around us appreciated me cracking up.

[Nancy]

Oh and thanks Ellie for finding the Pop Sugar prompt and Listopia, I too remember having difficulty finding something I wanted to read. I believe I ended up doing Catch-22.

[Thomas]

Bunnies is finally in! As promised i will second another suggestion tommorow

[Jette]

I was thinking about "A book that you have waited to read (placed a library hold, anticipated a new release, put off until vacation, etc.)." I've done all of these at one point or another even to the point of using my daughter's library card to access an ebook.

I would like to add wording that suggests it's something that you wanted to read, not just a book that you had to wait for shipping from an online store, or planned to use to fill another prompt.

[Tracy]

Shannon wrote: "I wouldn't vote for "a book that coined a popular phrase..." but I would look further at "a book connected to a popular/commonly used phrase"."

I agree. I think this rewording opens up the options, while still honoring the original idea.

[NancyJ]

Ellie wrote: ""A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom" was a Popsugar prompt in 2019, so that thread might help people.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"

Thanks for that post. I like the "idea" of it, but I didn't see any books I would really like to read. Though I've been thinking of All the President's Men today (about Watergate, and the term "deep throat"), which I've read a few times. I'm watching CNN today and the hearings about the January 6 attack on the capital.

I am going to want to read a concise book about this next year. So who might support "a book involving politics?" {{Ducking my head to avoid getting hit with a lot of negativity about the topic.}}

[Roxana]

NancyJ wrote: "I am going to want to read a concise book about this next year. So who might support "a book involving politics?" {{Ducking my head to avoid getting hit with a lot of negativity about the topic.}}"

No negativity here, lol - I'd vote for it! It'd be easily open to nonfiction without requiring it, and can span a variety of genres. Doesn't have to be just real world politics, after all; plenty of fantasy and sci fi are focused on politics (even aside from the broadness possible in "political issues"). The Kingston cycle, for instance, by C.L. Polk, is heavily based in the political turmoil of the fantasy country it's set in, and lots of high/epic fantasy is focused on court intrigue (such as A Game of Thrones).

[Thomas]

I’d enjoy it but I see why some will not

[Lindsey]

Roxana wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I am going to want to read a concise book about this next year. So who might support "a book involving politics?" {{Ducking my head to avoid getting hit with a lot of negativity abou..."

Agree! I would vote for it too.

[Tracy]

Anyone have any thoughts about this idea, and if it can be worded any better / clearer? "A book from the point of view of a person who is differently abled (physical, sensory, learning, mental) or neurodivergent."

Here is a listopia related to being disabled or neurodivergent

Oh, and if you are unfamiliar with the term "neurodivergent" (I've only been aware of the word for a year or two), it refers to conditions like autism and ADHD.

[Nancy]

Be careful with saying "from the point of view" because that turns people off, since it implies first person POV. You're better off with "a main character who is...."

[Thomas]

Tracy wrote: "Anyone have any thoughts about this idea, and if it can be worded any better / clearer? "A book from the point of view of a person who is differently abled (physical, sensory, learning, mental) or ..."
I would perosnally prefer "where one of the main characters is differently abled" jsut cos that doesn't limit to first person accounts

[Kate]

I'm pretty hesitant about the wording 'differently abled'. Disabled is not a bad word -- you can google for various essays on the topic.

[Pam]

I would vote for politics, if it’s not restricted to nonfiction. I like British author Jonathan Coe’s political satire. Also, lots of sci-fi and historical fiction would work. The Dune series is a good example!

My husband had a funny idea - a book related to the Bachelor/Bachelorette TV shows. If it was related to any reality TV show, I might vote for it. There’s a reality TV show for just about anything you could think of!

[Tracy]

@Nancy and @Thomas: I can see your point, in terms of opening up the possibilities. My intent was to see things through the perspective of someone with any of these issues. Having that person be a main character would help that to happen, if worded as you suggest. And then I could always just choose to have it be from their POV for my own choice and not put it on everyone else to interpret it that way if they couldn't find the right book.

[Tracy]

Caitlin wrote: "I'm pretty hesitant about the wording 'differently abled'. Disabled is not a bad word -- you can google for various essays on the topic."

Thanks for the suggestion Caitlin. I thought I was using the most current/acceptable language, but it turns out it's changed again, as we all learn. I referred to this website — "https://www.freewheelchairmission.org..." — for better language. I was half way there!

Here is my new attempt based on the few suggestions that have been made: "A book with a main character who has a disability (physical, sensory, learning, mental) or is neurodivergent."

[Kahlia]

"A book with a main character who has a disability (physical, sensory, learning, mental) or is neurodivergent."

I would vote for this version as I think it allows for a wide range of books.

[Nadine in NY]

NancyJ wrote: "I am going to want to read a concise book about this next year. So who might support "a book involving politics?" {{Ducking my head to avoid getting hit with a lot of negativity about the topic.}}..."


It's not my FAVORITE subject, but I've got a GR shelf for "politics law and government" - it's got 19 books on it, 7 that I have not yet read. So I could make it work.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I'd vote for politics, and probably plan for some nonfiction if I could stomach it, and some YA dystopian if I couldn't when I get to that prompt lol.

Have we had a neurodivergent prompt in the past couple of years? Or am I just thinking about the discussion around the prompt? My brain is mush, currently.

I'd personally rather the prompt to just be about disability and skip the neurodivergent, as much as I love books with those characters. I think the disability part opens it up wide enough, and I'd love to see more focus on characters who have physical disabilities... I just read Float Plan and the main love interest had a prosthetic leg. It was so great to see him as a love interest when characters with disabilities are so often not the focus of the story.

[Thomas]

I think Emily you suggested a similar prompt last year but it wasn’t picked

[Kendra]

"A book with a neurodiverse character" was #17 on the 2020 list.

[Tracy]

Well, I guess I need to start reviewing previous year’s prompt list, since 2022 is my first year with the group.

[Bec]

Pam wrote: "My husband had a funny idea - a book related to the Bachelor/Bachelorette TV shows. If it was related to any reality TV show, I might vote for it. There’s a reality TV show for just about anything you could think of

I just read Here for the Right Reasons which is a dating show book like the bachelor. i really enjoyed it!

[Jillian]

Tracy wrote: "Well, I guess I need to start reviewing previous year’s prompt list, since 2022 is my first year with the group."

When I use to suggest prompts, I found it helpful to look back at previous years to see both what was already on a list (some ideas are popular repeats but a little twist sometimes helps). It also helped me structure my suggestions.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

i'd be fine with politics.

[Shannon SA]

Roxana wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I am going to want to read a concise book about this next year. So who might support "a book involving politics?" {{Ducking my head to avoid getting hit with a lot of negativity abou..."

I'd vote for this, it's something a bit different.

[Ellie]

NancyJ wrote: "I am going to want to read a concise book about this next year. So who might support "a book involving politics?" {{Ducking my head to avoid getting hit with a lot of negativity about the topic.}}..."

While I'd rather poke my eyes out than read the ramblings of a real world politician, I am happy with a book involving politics, it's a very broad subject really.

[Thomas]

I personally think three years ago is long enough to be tried again. Regarding politics I suppose one option would be politics with a small p.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Thanks for the confirmation, Kendra. I didn’t think I was going crazy but had no energy to check the past lists lol.

[Louise]

Poll 3 suggestions is going up today right?

[Louise]

reworked the Match 2 suggestion

-The Matchmaker 🤹🏻‍♀️

Get creative and pick 2 books that *match* in title/cover - or perhaps a third way?
You can mix genres etc. as you like.

For instance
Moon & Sun
+

And author named Adam and one named Eve



A title/cover with a lock and one with a key - a demon and an angle and so on.

[Thomas]

Louise wrote: "Poll 3 suggestions is going up today right?"

around 2pm CST

[dalex]

NancyJ wrote: So who might support "a book involving politics?" "

I think politics is more doable than one might think. You could use a book that deals with a social justice issue (poverty, glbtq+ rights, women's rights, immigration, abortion, etc.) since those are all, in some way, related to government. Or there are countless historical fiction books about wives of presidents or politicians (both real and imaginary). I think even some murder mysteries could work, especially if they involve a district attorney, court case, etc. And of course there are tons of sci-fi and fantasy that would fit the prompt since overthrowing an existing government/kingdom/etc. is often part of the plot.

[Thomas]

dalex wrote: "NancyJ wrote: So who might support "a book involving politics?" "

I think politics is more doable than one might think. You could use a book that deals with a social justice issue (poverty, glbtq+..."

Agreed Dalex. As long as it is not written with a P the options are evry varied

[dalex]

Louise wrote: "reworked the Match 2 suggestion

Match 2 🤹🏻‍♀️

Get creative and pick 2 books that *match* in title/cover - or perhaps a third way?
You can mix genres etc. as you like.

For instance
Moon & Sun
[..."

This is confusing to me because the pairs are opposites not matches. I wonder if it could be worded in a more concise way?

Maybe:
Two books containing an opposite pair on the cover or in the title (ie sun/moon, lock/key, night/day, daughter/son).

Or perhaps the word "antonym" could be used in the prompt? Two books with antonyms on the cover or in the title (ie sun/moon, lock/key, night/day, daughter/son).

[Sherri]

I agree with Dalex. There is a lot of fiction written by politicians or co-authored with famous writers. For example, The President is missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson. State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny. While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams. This suggestion is growing on me because there is a lot of diversity here.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

dalex wrote: "Louise wrote: "reworked the Match 2 suggestion

Match 2 🤹🏻‍♀️

Get creative and pick 2 books that *match* in title/cover - or perhaps a third way?
You can mix genres etc. as you like.

For instan..."

I thought the same thing as dalex, after reading your prompt wording then seeing the examples. To me, "match" implies that the two things are similar (so two red covers, same word in title, same author, etc.). I don't know that antonym would work with the examples either though, since things like "lock" and "key" aren't necessarily antonyms.

I like the "opposite pair" wording though, and I think the prompt is really unique and interesting. I'd vote for it!

[Shannon SA]

I think Louise meant by the Match 2 suggestion 2 things that "go together" such as
lock and key
bangers and mash
bacon and eggs
pen and paper
bat and ball
salt and pepper
horse and carriage

[Lindsey]

Shannon wrote: "I think Louise meant by the Match 2 suggestion 2 things that "go together" such as
lock and key
bangers and mash
bacon and eggs
pen and paper
bat and ball
salt and pepper
horse and carriage"

If this is the meaning, then I agree "match" isn't the right term. It implies similarity, as someone said above. To me this is something more like "pick 2 books with titles or covers that form a well-known pair (i.e. lock and key, sun and moon, etc.)" I like the idea, and I would vote for it if we could get the wording to match the intent.

[Jill]

Shannon wrote: "I think Louise meant by the Match 2 suggestion 2 things that "go together" such as
lock and key
bangers and mash
bacon and eggs
pen and paper
bat and ball
salt and pepper
horse and carriage"


I would vote for that

[Ellie]

Two books connected by two things that go together?
Two books connected by a well-known pair of words?
Two books where each book has one half of a well known pair on the cover or in the title?

It's hard to word it nicely but I like the idea!