[2023] Wild Discussion Showing 1,351-1,400 of 4,060

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Ann wrote: "We haven't had a book with a music emphasis in quite a few years, i think. Maybe a book about music or one with musical instrument on the cover."

Then if the debut novel prompt fails, they can read for this category!

eta- I have several books on the punk years I've been meaning to read...

[Marie]

Pamela wrote: "I dunno, I would actually support debut book published after 2020. So many new and exciting authors have been published recently. And if the meaning of the prompt is to support emerging writers...
..."

We already have a book published in 2023 on the list, and we always have a prompt for a book published in the current year. I like the debut idea, but for that reason I'd downvote it if it was restricted to books published very recently. If we wanted it to support new authors, maybe the restriction could be that they've published nothing since?

[RachelG.]

Following the Bollywood idea I got stuck in my head to read a book related to Bollywood, Hollywood or Dollywood. Not sure what that would actually mean but the wording seemed fun.

[Jillian]

dalex wrote: "Generally an author’s occupation has zero influence on the book. There are exceptions, for example, a legal thriller written by a lawyer or a sci-fi novel written by an aeronautical engineer might ..."

I agree.

I’m interested in books not authors. If I have to do extra research on an author, it is a down vote for me.

[Ellie]

If the prompt was a book by a debut author, I would probably take that to mean they had only written one book so far anyway. If people wanted a KIS option they could read any author's first book.

[Deborah]

NancyJ wrote: "Bec wrote: "Irene wrote: "Is there any interest in a prompt that supports non-Amazon booksellers? Like a book that was purchased from a local or indie bookstore?

If so, which wording is the most ..."

While I love the idea of supporting local businesses. I probably would not vote for this, I try to use the local library for almost everything I read. I only purchase books that I know that I would read more than once.

[Tracy]

NEW SUGGESTION UP FOR DISCUSSION:

“A book with a character in unfamiliar circumstances - a traveler, an immigrant, a new employee, an amnesiac, etc.”

(the portion after the “-“ can be removed from the prompt and used as part of the explanation)

The idea is to see how this character deals with the unfamiliar.

[Alicia]

RachelG. wrote: "Following the Bollywood idea I got stuck in my head to read a book related to Bollywood, Hollywood or Dollywood. Not sure what that would actually mean but the wording seemed fun."

If you suggest this, you should also include Nollywood (Nigeria's film industry)

[Laurel]

I like the debut author idea.

I would vote against the purchased at an indie/local bookstore because that has an undercurrent of privilege I don't like - not everyone can afford to buy a book, and not everyone lives somewhere with local options. I have been in towns where the only place to buy books was the local Walmart, which isn't any better than Amazon.

[Chrissy]

Tracy wrote: "NEW SUGGESTION UP FOR DISCUSSION:

“A book with a character in unfamiliar circumstances - a traveler, an immigrant, a new employee, an amnesiac, etc.”

(the portion after the “-“ can be removed fro..."

This is a cool idea, something different but not that hard to find in different genres.

[Kat]

I agree with the local book store one being limiting for some. Where I live in the UK I would have to travel miles for a book shop as my surrounding towns don't have them anymore. Even then it would be Waterstones which doesn't seem in the spirit of the prompt. I also don't buy new books as they are so expensive now and get everything from libraries, charity shops or kindle. It also rules out those that rely on audio.

[Juliet]

How about ‘A book related to the Harlem Renaissance’? It could be something written as part of that movement, a nonfiction or a novel set in Harlem at that time

[NancyJ]

Steve wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Not sure why we want to exclude non-fiction."

I think that if we don't, it simply becomes "read a memoir" for the majority. There's more of a challenge when you're asking for a ficti..."

I read several memoirs this month and I really enjoyed most of them. Some for unexpected reasons. I would want this prompt to be open to fiction or non-fiction. I think it would appeal to more voters that way.

[RachelG.]

Juliet Brown wrote: "How about ‘A book related to the Harlem Renaissance’? It could be something written as part of that movement, a nonfiction or a novel set in Harlem at that time"

I am only familiar with Dead Dead Girls which is the first book in the Harlem Renaissance mystery series. Are there plenty of options for this idea?

[Juliet]

I am only familiar with Dead Dead Girls which is the first book in the Harlem Renaissance mystery series. Are there plenty of options for this idea?

I admit I not sure how much modern fiction IS set in the time period, although I would think that it's out there. However the sheer number and variety of books written at the time is impressive

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Joy D]

NancyJ wrote: "I read several memoirs this month and I really enjoyed most of them. Some for unexpected reasons. I would want this prompt to be open to fiction or non-fiction. I think it would appeal to more voters that way.."

Yes, and non-fiction includes much more than memoirs. People in 1 area of expertise often write on a tangential topic. As a lover of non-fiction (apparently a rare breed), I'd like to not exclude it from our prompts.

[Ellie]

Juliet Brown wrote: "How about ‘A book related to the Harlem Renaissance’? It could be something written as part of that movement, a nonfiction or a novel set in Harlem at that time"

Would The Monsters We Defy count? I'm not American and have never heard of the Harlem Renaissance before. Would anything in 1920s or 30s US from a black perspective work? Or is it more specific?

[Juliet]

I would count The Monsters We Defy
because of the arts angle it appears to have but I wouldnt necessarily count anything from a black perspective in the 20s or 30s, Noting that I am FAR from an expert the Harlem Renaissance is unique because cultural and economic forces combined there to give black writers , musicians and artists their first large scale access to large scale publishing and publicity which brought their work into the mainstream for really the first time in the US

[Irene]

@Everyone, no worries about the non-Amazon book prompt, I totally get it! I thought most people owned at least one book that they may have gotten from somewhere else (from a friend, yard sale, free ebook from the author, library, etc) but I can see how that can be really limiting and not fun. I've lived in places that Amazon didn't ship to but had other online or in-person options so I didn't realize some people had literally zero options that weren't Amazon, my bad! My intention with the non-Amazon prompt was also that it would include borrowed library books, but again, I can see how that wouldn't be interesting for a lot of people. It would basically be either too hard or too easy depending on the person, I guess.

[Irene]

Laurel wrote: "I like the debut author idea.

I would vote against the purchased at an indie/local bookstore because that has an undercurrent of privilege I don't like - not everyone can afford to buy a book, and..."

Laurel, by undercurrent of privilege, could you clarify? This prompt wasn't intended to require anyone to buy a book (I personally do this challenge with books I already own), I just assumed people doing a reading challenge would have access to books from non-Amazon sources whether that means from a used bookstore, a friend, the library, or some other source. I did not think anyone was getting every single book they read (physical or digital) from Amazon, but if they were, that sounds a lot more expensive than people who only read library books.

[Juliet]

Irene wrote: "Laurel wrote: "I like the debut author idea.

I would vote against the purchased at an indie/local bookstore because that has an undercurrent of privilege I don't like - not everyone can afford to ..."

Many libraries, like mine, primarily use Amazon to power their ebook offerings. Likewise many author /publisher giveaways go through Amazon so they can get 'verified purchase' reviews so even it you get all your books THROUGH Amazon that doesnt necessarily mean you paid for them

[Nadine in NY]

Juliet Brown wrote: "How about ‘A book related to the Harlem Renaissance’? It could be something written as part of that movement, a nonfiction or a novel set in Harlem at that time"





that would get a YES from me, because I'm slowly making my way through Chester Himes, and almost any of his books would qualify

[Juliet]

that would get a YES from me, because I'm slowly making my way through Chester Himes, and almost any of his books would qualify


I would prefer to quietly not address how long Their Eyes Were Watching God has been sitting on my TBR

[Nadine in NY]

Juliet Brown wrote: "that would get a YES from me, because I'm slowly making my way through Chester Himes, and almost any of his books would qualify


I would prefer to quietly not address how long [book:Their Eyes Wer..."



LOL! oh but you NEED to read that!!!

[Irene]

Juliet Brown wrote: "How about ‘A book related to the Harlem Renaissance’? It could be something written as part of that movement, a nonfiction or a novel set in Harlem at that time"

I really love this idea! Not one I've seen before, though I'm wondering if it could be reworded somehow to be less US-centric since it was very much an American movement. (Just thought of one of my friends who does this challenge but doesn't speak English, there probably aren't a lot of books out there that fit this prompt that have been very widely translated)

[Rachel]

I'm Canadian, and I have literally no idea what the Harlem Renaissance is, so I would imagine it wouldn't necessarily be obvious to others who might not read the threads either.

[NancyJ]

Ann wrote: "We haven't had a book with a music emphasis in quite a few years, i think. Maybe a book about music or one with musical instrument on the cover."

Ann, I would love a music prompt. I really enjoy books about music, musicians, and song-writers. (Daisy Jones and the Six, The People we Keep, Amadeus, The Songbook of Benny Lament....) I also like books about artists and art, biographies, fiction and historical-fic. The new Maggie O'Farrell book The Marriage Portrait might fit art (it's hard to tell).

I could really go for a book about a musician or singer right now, to perk me up. "A book about music" is enough for me, as there are a lot of great books (in many diff genres). But a "related to music" prompt could be very fun for people. It might include your cover with a musical instrument, or maybe a book title that was a line/title of a well-known song. (Depending on how it was written.)

I just looked up the music tag and found many new books to add to my music shelf. https://www.goodreads.com/genres/music
I didn't know If I Stay involved music. Will sounds interesting too, and both are available at the library right now,.. and on my phone. Yes.

Is anyone else interested in music, or music/art? "about," "involving," "related to," or something else?

Thank you Ann! I suddenly have enough energy to get on my bike and crank up the music. (I might be kidding myself, but I'm going to try.)

[Nadine in NY]

I'm not interested in music because we had "about a band" this year in Popsugar, and that's not a category I want to read every year. I know that doesn't affect those of you who don't do that challenge, of course!

[NancyJ]

Pamela wrote: "I dunno, I would actually support debut book published after 2020. So many new and exciting authors have been published recently. And if the meaning of the prompt is to support emerging writers...
..."

I forgot about that group! They started in 2006, and I would love to see all the long lists, short lists and winners. This might be a fantastic list prompt, or we could keep the prompt open, and use their lists as a great resource. (Shoot, I hope I didn't jinx the whole concept by using the L word.)

I think the prompt could draw some attention for all debut authors whether we restrict the date or not. We'll look at all the titles and names, and some of those books might get used for other prompts as well. Some people will want to read the hot new author getting all the buzz. Some might decide to try a new (to them) author beginning with their very first book. It's all good.

[NancyJ]

Ellie wrote: "I'd vote for debut novel, either with or without a year qualifier. I'd probably use it to read a 2023 debut anyway.

I think book source is too tricky to get right. I don't know how things are in t..."

I think that's how a debut prompt might go for me too. I used to never read brand new books, but now I understand the lure.

Re book source, I'm curious... How many people here:
Visited a local library this year?
Mainly use the library for ebooks or e-audios?
Never use the library?
Don't have a local library (or the hours conflict with your job)?

[Nadine in NY]

NancyJ wrote: "Ellie wrote: "I'd vote for debut novel, either with or without a year qualifier. I'd probably use it to read a 2023 debut anyway.

I think book source is too tricky to get right. I don't know how t..."



I go the library every week, and I also use Libby quite often to borrow ebooks & audiobooks. Free Public Libraries are one very wonderful thing about the US!

[Juliet]

I use Libby like mad , but almost entirely do ebooks. I am one of those people whose hours and physical library hours do not match up. My husband also uses ebooks almost exclusively but because he is dyslexic and can switch them to a friendly to him font

[Pam]

NancyJ - I’m a huge library user - physical books and ebooks. I go at least once a week, even though I have enough books at home to read for the next 10 years!

[Ellie]

I don't find the library all that convenient so I don't use it often. Can't read their ebooks on Kindle, only their app, library is barely ever open due to cutbacks, and the books I want I have to pay to get them sent in from other libraries anyway. I sometimes borrow audiobooks through borrowbox and that's it.

[Nancy]

I mainly use the library for ebooks and audio books, but do on occasion get print copies I can't get digitally. I have a paperback checked out from one library right now, and a graphic novel waiting for me at another library.

I have cards at 4 different library systems.

[Mandy]

Nadine in NY wrote: "I'm not interested in music because we had "about a band" this year in Popsugar, and that's not a category I want to read every year. I know that doesn't affect those of you who don't do that chall..."

true, but if it's just general music, you could read phantom of the opera (retellings too), les mis, or something hinting in music. general is much easier than this year's popsugar

[Chrissie]

my library is fantastic and I read pretty much exclusively library books. not ebooks or audio books. hold them in your hand paper books. I don't remember the last time I purchased a book.

[Jillian]

I go to my local library regularly. My kids have a club that meets there once a week. I mainly borrow ebooks or audio since I have access to three libraries only one of them I visit in person.

[Nancy]

I'm definitely not one of those people who has to hold a paper book. You can pry my Kindle from my cold, dead hands. It fits in my purse. I can read when I wake up at 3am and can't go back to sleep without having to turn a light on and wake my husband. I can read while I eat and easily turn the pages. I don't have to take a stack of books on vacation, when I finish one the next one is right there. I can borrow from the library at the touch of a button (or 2 or 3) and the book's available instantaneously. I can make the font bigger when my eyes are tired. I can search for a specific word or phrase if I can't remember something from earlier in the book. I have a dictionary at the touch of a button. If the book is due and I haven't finished it, I don't have to worry about holds because I can put the Kindle on airplane mode and it won't be returned. If I forget my Kindle and find myself waiting, I can use the Kindle app on my phone, which syncs with the Kindle so it takes me right to where I am in the book.

[Tracy]

Haha Nancy — you sound just like me! Except I didn’t know about the sneaky airplane mode trick. A few months ago I had to power read to finish a book. I finally got it done 7 minutes before it was due!

[Nancy]

I learned the airplane mode trick by accident! I forgot to turn it off after flying, and realized the book wasn't returned when it was due. It's super handy.

[Jillian]

The kindle battery also lasts longer in airplane mode. I have two kindles and switch between them depending on library books.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Nadine in NY wrote: "I'm not interested in music because we had "about a band" this year in Popsugar, and that's not a category I want to read every year. I know that doesn't affect those of you who don't do that chall..."

There's a whole lot to music that isn't bands-- individual instruments and musicians, opera, classical music, folk music, singing. composers, troubadours, etc

Wind instruments: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Instrument in the title:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
And the cover:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Other instruments: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Tracy wrote: "Haha Nancy — you sound just like me! Except I didn’t know about the sneaky airplane mode trick. A few months ago I had to power read to finish a book. I finally got it done 7 minutes before it was ..."

Oh, the airplane mode trick is the bomb! I try to use it sparingly since not too ethical

I love libraries! I mostly use the e-book collections cause I'm ornery and don't like wearing reading glasses. But I use the physical library if need be or if I need something like a cookbook or knitting book. And I like getting DVDs at the library,

[Joy D]

I would support a prompt about music - it's a pretty wide topic and I'm sure I could find something I already own.

I use the library in person for hardcopies, and also for e-reading and audios. I also regularly purchase books, e-books, and audios (and not all from Amazon). My local library is small, though, and has a much more limited selection than those in the big cities.

There is only one indie bookstore in the region, and it caters to specialty books for collectors.

I did PopSugar a couple times, but I didn't really like their prompts much. For my personal taste in prompts/books, this group is a big improvement.

[Nancy]

Pamela wrote: "Oh, the airplane mode trick is the bomb! I try to use it sparingly since not too ethical"

For what it's worth, the book is still returned to the library, it's just not removed from your Kindle. If you're worried about keeping others from getting the book.

[Bec]

Rachel wrote: "I'm Canadian, and I have literally no idea what the Harlem Renaissance is, so I would imagine it wouldn't necessarily be obvious to others who might not read the threads either."

I'm Australian and I have no idea either.

[Bec]

Nancy wrote: "I'm definitely not one of those people who has to hold a paper book. You can pry my Kindle from my cold, dead hands. It fits in my purse. I can read when I wake up at 3am and can't go back to sleep..."
I agree 100% with what you say about kindle!!

Nancy J in regards to your library questions - I have visited a library this year but I mainly use the library for ebooks or audiobooks. Paperback are not my preference (for all the reasons Nancy mentioned above about kindle) so I will only read a paperback if I really want to read the book and can't borrow the ebook. I have 2 library cards (in different countries) so I can borrow a vast array of ebooks.

[Bec]

Nancy wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Oh, the airplane mode trick is the bomb! I try to use it sparingly since not too ethical"

For what it's worth, the book is still returned to the library, it's just not removed from ..."
Does it then get removed from your kindle when you turn airplane mode back on?
I generally read with airplane mode on as the battery lasts longer and only turn it off when I need to download a book.

[Jillian]

Bec wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Oh, the airplane mode trick is the bomb! I try to use it sparingly since not too ethical"

For what it's worth, the book is still returned to the library, it's just not..."

I don’t think, there is any thing unethical using the air plane mode.

It seems like it depends on the publisher when it gets removed. I have some books that never automatically get removed when my kindle is connected to WiFi and I have to manually remove them others automatically get removed.