Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2023] Wild Discussion
I’m assuming this is for poll 4. The multi-suggestions poll?
Nadine in NY wrote: "Ellie wrote: "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 t..."
I nominated related to a famous pair a few times last year and it never passed. Id definitely support it again, but know the community might not!
As a special education teacher who is neurodivergent, and has two neurodivergent children, I would definitely vote vote a prompt related to disability. I have ready many - mostly middle grade - and would be happy to make suggestions. I had thought of trading a book with a character with autism if the -ism prompt went through. Sorry - I don’t know how to quote/refer to previous posts.
Michelle wrote: "As a special education teacher who is neurodivergent, and has two neurodivergent children, I would definitely vote vote a prompt related to disability. I have ready many - mostly middle grade - and..."Michelle - I would love to get neurodivergent reading suggestions for you on this topic. Especially in the area of ADHD as my son was not diagnosed until he was an adult, and I am trying to understand how to help him as a long distance parent of an adult.
And for you, as to how to "quote/refer to previous posts": I believe this can only be done on a computer (i.e., not mobile), and is done by clicking on "reply" in the lower right corner of the post you want to reference.
Famous pair or well-known pair could refer to people, which is the way I read it when I looked through past suggestions that did not make it. It's so difficult to word these prompts to be short but clear.If it is clear that it relates to things and not some celebrity couple, I would vote for it.
I finally looked through the past years' prompts, and I didn't see this idea — although maybe it was one that was shot down. But here goes: "A book somehow related to Disney".My problem is that I see this as very broad, and able to be interpreted in many ways, but not sure how to do that concisely. It's not that I'm a huge Disney fan, it just can cover so much.
Here is how I see it as broad:
1) could be related to a character, e.g., Cinderella could lead you to read a book about step-families or fashion (glass slipper)
2) could be related to a situation, e.g., Bambi could lead you to read something about either forest fires or orphans.
3) could be related to a ride in Disneyland/Disneyworld, e.g., It's a Small World could lead to a book about a small town, or characters who run into each other in an unexpected place, or globalism.
4) could be a favorite Disney memory, e.g., the old ticket system (who else remembers 'E ticket rides'?) could lead to a book about travel or something that is the best in its category (like a book about dog shows?).
5) could be Disney history, e.g., a book connected to animation or animators in some way.
I see the possibilities as endless, but I'm afraid that my opening prompt would lead people who didn't read this post to thinking that it would just be reading a Mickey Mouse or a Sleeping Beauty story.
Does this idea even have legs? And if so, any ideas about how to show the scope without having a multi-paragraph explanation? I looked at all the Disney related Listopias and they were more Disney connected than I was intending. I see this more as a jumping off point and a way to be very creative in your book choice.
Tracy- Last year there was a suggestion for a book related to a Disney song. There was LOTS of discussion re this suggestion but it never got through.
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I was trying to remember the romance book I read between the president's son and a foreign prince so googled and ran across a whole list of M/M political romances- https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...- 138 books there (Red, White & Royal Blue was the one I was thinking of)
There's books with politicians in every genre.
Pam wrote: "Tracy- Last year there was a suggestion for a book related to a Disney song. There was LOTS of discussion re this suggestion but it never got through."Thanks Pam. I only connected with this group in the last poll or 2 of last year, so I missed it. I know I would be disinclined to upvote this if I only saw 'Disney' in the prompt, without knowing the full thought about it, so I can see how it did not get through.
Next...
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That is a hysterical idea and as someone who has lost a whole lot of reading time watching Love Island this summer. I would be in for it. But what would the prompt be? I read a book this year that was based on a dating reality show to satisfy the 3 continents prompts but don't think I need to read 2 such books in my life. But I love the idea of a prompt that makes me laugh, we just need how to make it broad enough
Tracy I think you can still find the discussion threads from last year. Like Pam said there was a LOT of discussion about a prompt related to a Disney song. Many people were turned off by the idea of Disney completely, others thought it was way too broad since Disney is so far-reaching, as you said. And many didn't like that it had to be connected to a song.So, if you can come up with a way to narrow it down, it could have legs. I like the idea so don't think you should give up on it entirely.
Nancy wrote: "Tracy I think you can still find the discussion threads from last year. Like Pam said there was a LOT of discussion about a prompt related to a Disney song. Many people were turned off by the idea ..."Thanks Nancy. Didn't think about the fact that past discussions would still be available. Something to consider (seeing what the reservations were). Maybe, maybe...
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It is a lot of work to read all the past discussions and the people change.
Pamela wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Thanks Nancy. Didn't think about the fact that past discussions would still be available. Something to consider (seeing what the reservations were). Maybe, maybe...It is a lot of wo..."
True.
I also have several other ideas to get through first. Never a shortage of ideas.
I think for some ideas that I have that I either decide not to suggest, or don't get through, I can layer them myself with prompts that we end up with. For example, for our "books with a faceless person on the cover" I could layer with Disney>Bambi>forest fires and try to find a book involving forest fires that have a faceless person on the cover. I guess my own version of a BIO pick (which I finally found out what that means yesterday — haha, originally I thought, biography, then "books I own'" then found the real intended meaning, "bring it on!")
Joy D wrote: "Famous pair or well-known pair could refer to people, which is the way I read it when I looked through past suggestions that did not make it. It's so difficult to word these prompts to be short but..."Agree - I would vote for "things that go together" but not famous people.
Thanks for the feedback on politics. I'll put something together for today's poll (if I can juggle it), or a future poll. When I look at the book choices, I think the term power is important too. "A book that involves politics."
"A book that involves power and politics."
Fiction or non-fiction books, about government politics, organization politics, hot political issues, or stories involving the use of power to influence people or decision-making.
It could include
- History, biography, or historical fiction about governments, famous leaders, courts, royalty, war-time alliances, conspiracies, political coups, democracy v communism, scandals.
- Fantasy, sci-fi, or alt-history stories involving governing bodies, leaders, royal courts, spies in the castle, opposing factions, alliances between countries or planets.
-A fiction or non-fiction book that includes a major political issue, such a gun control, hate crimes, wealth-gap, abortion, civil rights, women's rights, environment, shooting by police, immigration, mass shootings, the Jan 6 attack.
-Political thrillers, mysteries, conspiracies.
- Organizational politics in a work setting, academic setting, volunteer organization. About how people vie for power, or align themselves to people they think could help their career.
-Elections or governance at any level including high school class president, volunteer organizations, boards, or the Vatican. (Isn't there a new book or movie about Tracy Flick?)
- Biographies of leaders, or books about power and leadership.
- Stories about how power is gained or wielded to control people or events. Machiavellianism, influence tactics, coalitions, types of power, use of force, scandals.
- Democratic, communist, socialist, capitalist, totalitarian, or military regimes.
- Major cultural issues that mixed with politics.
Anything else?
Does anyone have any links or lists to add, or recommended books?
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
All feedback is welcome!!!
Steve wrote: "I nominated related to a famous pair a few times last year and it never passed. ..."Yes I remember that! I voted for it, and I'd vote for it again.
Shannon wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Famous pair or well-known pair could refer to people, which is the way I read it when I looked through past suggestions that did not make it. It's so difficult to word these prompts t..."same
Light political books: Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin
Election by Tom Perrotta
Tracy Flick Can't Win by Tom Perrotta
The Daily Show
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
Power (fiction):
Starfish - about a "girl power"
Six of Crows
A Court of Thorns and Roses
The Power
The Handmaid's Tale
Non-fiction
The 48 Laws of Power
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
The Prince by Machiavelli
Pamela wrote: "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 abo..."Ok, but side note from books, Love Island is soooooo good this season!!
NancyJ wrote: "Thanks for the feedback on politics. I'll put something together for today's poll (if I can juggle it), or a future poll. When I look at the book choices, I think the term power is important too. ..."
I'm excited about voting for this prompt, NancyJ!
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."
OMG- I love the idea of BIO being Books I Own!!!
Jill wrote: "Shannon wrote: "I think Louise meant by the Match 2 suggestion 2 things that "go together" such aslock and key
bangers and mash
bacon and eggs
pen and paper
bat and ball
salt and pepper
horse and ..."
Love and marriage
Coffee and cream
(the birds and the bees)
I like the idea of this, but I can't think of examples that fit books on my tbr. I also like the ideas of things that match (covers that look-alike, common words or themes), or opposites (which we had in 2020 or 2021 I think). These might be 3 different prompts.
It would be easy to find books with "man" or "woman" in the title (not to sound homophobic).
I look forward to seeing what all the creative minds come up with for examples. We have until next week.
I don’t really like “well known” or “famous” pair because I feel limited by the qualifier. Like, is this well known or not? Does it really count? It’s a stumbler for the over thinkers. :lol:
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Sooo good! But what the heck, they just sit around all day, maybe work out? Me, I would be reading and then y'all could have a category "books Pamela read on Love Island last summer." Not that I am young enough to be on or would last too long and I would be reading my kindle so you would not know what I was reading and they would edit it all out anyways.
But can't think of a book tie-in for a prompt though. They don't even go to the beach. So I love the idea of the prompt, but a book related to reality tv doesn't seem to have too much breadth. I watch Bachelor in Paradise but not the main shows so wouldn't even know locations that would tie-in, since I know they travel the world on the main show.
A Snowball in Hell is a really good reality TV book, if anyone was looking for something, and I have vague memories of enjoying Dead Famous many years ago.
I really like the two words that go together prompt! I'd be happy if it gets in because I was thinking of suggesting "one book related to the sun and one book related to the moon," which I could still do since sun & moon are words that go together. It seems to encompass a lot of multi-week prompts actually, like this year's flora and fauna as well.
Pamela wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Ok, but side note from books, Love Island is soooooo good this season!!.."Sooo good! But what the heck, they just sit around all day, maybe work out? Me, I would be reading and the..."
MY idea of reality TV is Project Runway, Top Chef, Master Chef, Great British Baking Show / Bake Off. Never watched any of the Bachelor Franchise or Survivor or Real Wives franchise, etc. If the prompt was expanded to ANY type of reality TV, and not just the dating / high drama offerings, then I would be ok with it. Well, I guess I DO watch Married At First Sight, so I guess I could pick a book about an arranged marriage.
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Tracy, I loveeee Married at First Sight. That and Love is Blind are pretty much the only two dating shows I watch.
NancyJ wrote: "Thanks for the feedback on politics. I'll put something together for today's poll (if I can juggle it), or a future poll. When I look at the book choices, I think the term power is important too. ..."
Thanks for your exhaustive (!) list of possibilities for what 'power and politics' could cover. This has made it SO much more interesting. I'd vote for it without hesitation now.
dalex wrote: "I don’t really like “well known” or “famous” pair because I feel limited by the qualifier. Like, is this well known or not? Does it really count? It’s a stumbler for the over thinkers. :lol:"Examples would have to be included most definitely.
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The shows might be more interesting if they read- they would have more to talk about!
I like Tracy's expansion to any reality tv as there's so much reality tv these days so not only romance but fashion, food, performing arts, travel, adventure (I just googled Reality TV and looked at the scroll bar Google provided, it's pretty wide-ranging)
Tracy wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Thanks for the feedback on politics. I'll put something together for today's poll (if I can juggle it), or a future poll. When I look at the book choices, I think the term power is i..."Thanks Tracy, I tend to overdo it sometimes. I really need examples of books titles that aren't so heavy.
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Martha wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Thanks for the feedback on politics. I'll put something together for today's poll (if I can juggle it), or a future poll. When I look at the book choices, I think the term power is i..."Thanks Martha. If you can think of any book examples that would help. I'm not sure if I'll suggest it today or in poll 5.
I also love Married at First Sight, Project Runway and Top Chef. So clearly, I would vote for a reality tv prompt!There’s also Drag Race, which could open it up for people that want to connect prompts to lgbtq+
I've never seen a dating show, but I love food-related and fashion-related reality competition shows (like the Great British Bake-Off and Project Runway) so I'm interested in the reality tv prompt for sure. Is there a way to word it without making it extremely broad?
Pamela wrote: "Sherri wrote: "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. St..."Oh good. I missed this message! Thanks.
NancyJ wrote: "Martha wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Thanks for the feedback on politics. I'll put something together for today's poll (if I can juggle it), or a future poll. When I look at the book choices, I think the ..."I hope you suggest it today.
Here's a shelf for political historical fiction: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
NancyJ wrote: "Thanks Martha!"You're welcome.
Political science fiction: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Tracy - I sent you a message and a friend request. Happy to discuss ADHD with you. I was also diagnosed as an adult.I was looking for the original post about a prompt related to disability- I would definitely second and vote for a prompt related to disability or neurodiverdity.
July is also Disability Pride Month. Maybe it’s a good summer prompt.
For two week prompts, what do you think about Angels and Demons? Angels - Main characters who are heroic, good, selfless, angelic, moral, or saints.
Demons - Main characters who are evil, greedy, selfish, demonic, immoral, or villains.
We could read one angel book and one demon book, or books with a contest between good and evil. Each book could be a biography of a real person, or a book with a realistic character, or a fantasy character. The characters don't have to be literal angels or demons.
Martha wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Thanks Martha!"You're welcome.
Political science fiction: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/..."
WOW there are so many good books on that list that I kind of want a SECOND category just for poli-sci-fi!!! (I know, I know, that would never fly. And I'm definitely voting for the "politics" category.)
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Robin P wrote: "In the Poll 3 nominations that just closed, there was definite interest in the idea of a disabled/neurodivergent character, but some uncertainty as to the best way to word it. So we didn't end up i..."Persinally I have avrious disabilties but would not identfy as disabled
Here is some information about the discussions I am most aware of but as shown in this thread there are differing opinions.For disabled people or people with disabilities there is this which gives a lot of the context https://www.inclusionlondon.org.uk/di...
In the autistic community there is often support for identity first approach so autistic person rather than person with autism because being autistic is intriniscally linked to them as a person and not an added part.
There is also Deaf culture which means that there are Deaf people who do not define themselves as being disabled https://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/opinion/d_...
I wonder if there is some wording like "book including d/Deaf community, neurodivergent community or disabled community" which could work or "book by d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent author".
Is there a good list of books about persons with disabilities?
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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'..."
I think "a well known pair" is a good way to say it