[2023] Wild Discussion Showing 151-200 of 4,060

[Thomas]

Personally I’d favour winners because even there there’s about 200 to choice from

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Irene, I probably wouldn't vote for the curated list if the ATY Book of the Month prompt gets in, mostly because that is also a list of recommended books by ATY members, so it seems a bit redundant. Just a thought on that though! Maybe if you made it an "underrated" list like we had suggested a couple years ago, where people recommend books that have less than 5000 or 7000 ratings, I'd be more interested in that. Or some other spin on the recommendation list.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Emily wrote: "Irene, I probably wouldn't vote for the curated list if the ATY Book of the Month prompt gets in, mostly because that is also a list of recommended books by ATY members, so it seems a bit redundant..."

I like that idea, of finding books that aren't already well-known.

[Hannah]

Tracy wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Two suggestions having nothing to do with 2023, celebratory months/years, or bunnies…

1) A book set in a place you’d like to visit. It could be a foreign country, a ci..."

I find "career or hobby" much more appealing than just career! Especially since lots of books follow people who don't have jobs for various reasons, or where the main thing the character spends their time on in the story is not their actual job (like all the amateur detectives out there).

[Irene]

Emily wrote: "Irene, I probably wouldn't vote for the curated list if the ATY Book of the Month prompt gets in, mostly because that is also a list of recommended books by ATY members, so it seems a bit redundant..."

Emily, that's a great idea! I was thinking of not suggesting it if the best books of the month prompt got in for the same reason so changing it up by making it more specific sounds like a great way of avoiding redundancy. I'll work on making a google form for ATY's hidden gems/underrated books when I have some free time later this week :D

[Louise]

One suggestion for reading something different/older - could be to read a book from Gutenberg.org (older books that are now free from copyright - free and always available!). It's an admirable project - for inspiration I have compiled a list of titles I found interesting:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

and there is this one as well:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...

I found some really cool books there over the years, like

The Room with the Little Door
The Weird Orient; Nine Mystic Tales from Morocco
A Simple Soul
The Country of the Pointed Firs and Other Stories
The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary
The Post Office

[Shannon SA]

Hi Louise, your list is set to private. I would vote for this prompt.

[Louise]

It should work now, thanks for the heads up :-)

[Thomas]

Maybe change it to a book available on Guttenburg? Just it doesn’t imply we have to read it on the website itself

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Thomas wrote: "Maybe change it to a book available on Guttenburg? Just it doesn’t imply we have to read it on the website itself"

That's a good idea. I have a wonderful iPad app called Megareader. It cost a few dollars originally but has access to the whole catalog of Gutenberg plus several others. The formatting is usually decent and sometimes the downloads even include the original illustrations. I have used it multiple times to read classics, even those I own in paperback because I can adjust the print size. And they have books in multiple languages! I'm not sure this app is even available now but there are probably equivalent ones. Most of us don't want to sit at a computer to read a downloaded book.

[Louise]

You can download them to your kindle I guess - but agree available in Gutenberg is a good idea :-D

[Mandy]

Louise wrote: "You can download them to your kindle I guess - but agree available in Gutenberg is a good idea :-D"

yes. i go to project gutenberg on the web and have downloaded materials in mobi (kindle). they have a list of different ways of downloading on each book.

[Joy D]

I would also prefer no specific directions on what format to read but would be open to "a book available on Project Gutenberg."

[Shannon SA]

Joy D wrote: "I would also prefer no specific directions on what format to read but would be open to "a book available on Project Gutenberg.""

Agree, one could then read the book on kindle, in paperback etc.

[NancyJ]

Irene wrote: "Kahlia wrote: "But I do like the broader idea of reading a book connected to the group, like if everyone nominated an author who inspired them or something and then we could all give someone else's..."

Thanks for posting the link to the ATY Curated list. I'm working on my list of prompts that didn't make it. I read The Immortalists for this prompt. and still might read Unseen World, Tsar of Love and Techno, East of Eden, Deacon King Kong, Hellspark and some books that might be on the YA list.

[Irene]

Happy to hear that, Nancy! I'm pretty far behind on the regular challenge but I would like to read everything on that list one day if I have the time, I really loved everyone's reasons for recommending their favorite books.

Regarding the Gutenberg prompt - I like that it is essentially a genre prompt disguised as a list prompt! There are so many books on Project Gutenberg that it's basically a more unique twist on "Read a classic" and would be largely inclusive of the "book often taught in schools" prompt ideas that were discussed earlier.

[Dubhease]

Irene wrote: "Regarding the Gutenberg prompt - I like that it is essentially a genre prompt disguised as a list prompt! There are so many books on Project Gutenberg that it's basically a more unique twist on "Read a classic" and would be largely inclusive of the "book often taught in schools" prompt ideas that were discussed earlier."

The Project Gutenberg prompt also covers non-fiction. I'm not a non-fiction reader, but I remember last year some readers were and they would downvote prompts if they couldn't figure out how to get a non-fiction book in. I think about that when trying to figure out how to word a prompt.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I use an app called Serial Reader that breaks classics (mostly Project Gutenberg books) up into small chunks and sends it to you daily so you can read the book over the course of weeks/months (depending on how long the book is). Wouldn't work for people reading in order, but great for someone who is intimidated by reading older works!

EDIT: Now I'm really excited about this prompt but I hope it doesn't get suggested for a few weeks so it doesn't go against all of these great ideas in the first couple of polls haha!

[NancyJ]

I really like the Gutenberg idea. It's a fantastic resource for active readers. I really like prompts that introduce you to new resources as well as new topics, authors, countries, etc.

I would also like to read newer classics that don't yet qualify for Gutenberg.

[Thomas]

On a side note I’m really worried I won’t make this. Anyone else had fear like that in the past?

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Won't make what, Thomas?

[Thomas]

Emily as in won’t finish the challenge or at least won’t finish without using picture books

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Oh yea definitely. I'm due to have a baby November 17th, so I'm not sure I'll finish this year's challenge. We do the best that we can do under the circumstances we are facing. No one is judging you or giving you a prize (or a punishment) for finishing or not finishing!

[Thomas]

Congratulations Emio

[Thomas]

I meant Emily

[Louise]

May I recommend poetry collections and graphic novels Thomas - they usually save me if I am behind - and a bit like sherbet ice cream - can be a palate cleanser between longer books.

[Irene]

Emily wrote: "Oh yea definitely. I'm due to have a baby November 17th, so I'm not sure I'll finish this year's challenge. We do the best that we can do under the circumstances we are facing. No one is judging yo..."

Oh my gosh congrats Emily!! I'm very biased but November babies are the best :D

(Also, Serial Reader sounds awesome! Will download for sure)

[Irene]

Louise wrote: "May I recommend poetry collections and graphic novels Thomas - they usually save me if I am behind - and a bit like sherbet ice cream - can be a palate cleanser between longer books."

I second this! You could also read middle grade or YA books rather than picture books. Short stories work well too.

[Thomas]

I agree with all suggestions except YA. I often find them quite long

[Nancy]

Congrats Emily! My youngest was born in November, I agree it's a good time. He was born the day after Thanksgiving and he loves sharing his birthday with the holiday.

[Tracy]

Conny wrote: "I've only skimmed this thread now because work, ugh, but I like what I've seen in passing, so many creative ideas!

I was wondering if I could try my "degrees of separation" prompt from two years a..."

Conny - thank you for starting a thread to make a list for "separations". Where did you put it though?

[Tracy]

Another idea: A book from the point of view of someone who is differently abled.

It could be:
physical (amputee, para/quadraplegic)
sensory (blind, deaf)
learning (dyslexia, dyscalcula)
or mental (autism, depression, bipolarism, Downs syndrome, ADHD).

Apologies if I miscategorized any issue, or mis-named a category. I'm just trying to show the range of differently abled perspectives I'm intending. Also, each list within a category are only examples, and by no means a complete list of possibilities.

[Tracy]

Jackie wrote: "OMG maybe it will finally by the year the bunny prompt makes it!"

So, I just started with ATY this year, but also participated in some of the voting FOR this year. I noticed that some people were really interested in reading books involving rabbits/bunnies last voting season as well.

I feel like I'm missing something. Why are so many people interesting in this topic? I like rabbits fine, but it's not necessarily something I'm drawn to reading about, unless there's something I'm unaware of that would make it fascinating. Bees I can see, given their importance in pollination, and their dwindling numbers.

Why are "rabbit books" so popular?

[Irene]

@Tracy This is only my third year in the group so I wasn't here when it started, but as far as I know one of our members suggests the rabbit prompt every year, but it has never gotten voted through. Since 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit in the Asian Zodiac, people are speculating that this could finally be the year the prompt makes it in!

[Thomas]

I like the differently abled prompt idea

[Shelley]

For the North/South idea what about using the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn? Country that exists above the tropic of cancer, country that exists below the tropic of capricorn, and for a third prompt, one that exists between the two.

To make it more challenging, it needs to be a country on the tropics and a third on the equator.

[Tracy]

@Irene: thanks for the answer re: rabbits. Yes, it does seem like the perfect year if it will ever get chosen.

@Thomas: glad you like my differently abled idea. And getting back to my original "what you wanted to be when you were a child" idea - I love that you wanted to be King when you were a kid! Is it still something that interests you, as my original idea has morphed into "a character who has a career or hobby that interests you"? And if so, would you consider being King a career or hobby? haha

re: North/South in general - @Shelley: I like your interpretation, if we make it strictly as a global perspective. There were some other variations (like North and South Korea, e.g.) that were also interesting. I think I would probably vote for this idea whatever incarnation it takes.

[Thomas]

Tracy wrote: "@Irene: thanks for the answer re: rabbits. Yes, it does seem like the perfect year if it will ever get chosen.

@Thomas: glad you like my differently abled idea. And getting back to my original "wh..."

Yes I would stilll be interested in the prompt

[Tracy]

Sorry to be so overactive today — I've been saving up since I've been on jury duty for 4 months...

Two ideas for Multi-week Prompts (although they may be TOO long since they are both for 4 weeks):

1) One book focusing on each of the 4 seasons

2) Since I've been at the courthouse a LOT lately (and ours is a quite beautiful one), I've seen MANY weddings during my lunch break. This made me think of the wedding idea "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue". I realized this could all pertain to books as well (AND our courthouse is right across the street from the library!). So, this multi-week prompt could be:

a) a backlist book, maybe at least 5 years old? (Something Old)

b) a book published in 2023 (Something New)

c) a book from a library, borrowed from a friend, or from a neighborhood Little Library (or even from Amazon's Kindle Owners Lending Library if you have a Kindle) (Something Borrowed)

d) a book that has a blue cover, or has 'blue' or some shade of blue in the title or author's name (Something Blue)

Would NOT have to be wedding themed books at all (I'm not a reader of romance or beach reads), but maybe extra "points" if they are?

Too much?

[Thomas]

I don’t really think extra points is really the idea. I like the concept ( many different ways to take those four things)

[NancyJ]

Tracy wrote: "Another idea: A book from the point of view of someone who is differently abled.

It could be: physical (amputee, para/quadraplegic)sensory (blind, deaf)learning (dyslexia, dyscalcula) or mental (a..."

I am definitely interested in this topic, though we might need to do some research to find books with that POV. My IRL book club just picked True Biz about deaf culture, for August. I think it might fit a prompt that didn't make the 2022 list.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

I have a feeling this group did the Something Old, Something new, etc in a recent year, but maybe I am thinking of a different group.

[Beth]

Yes we had the wedding rhyme as a multi week a few years ago so members who have been here for a while might not want a repeat. I wouldn't be against it personally as I like those 4 as prompts but might not vote for it if there are other ideas I like equally just because we have done it before.

[Tracy]

Well, that’s the problem being a new member to a group - you don’t have the history about what’s already been done - even recently. It (the wedding rhyme prompt) would be fun since it’s so broad, but I understand why it might not get voted for.

@Thomas - I hope you realize I was kidding about the “extra points”. Maybe “extra challenge” would be more appropriate? That is if you even like wedding stories enough to try to read 4 of them.

[Beth]

That's true, it can be tricky! I'm not sure how long people tend to stick around in the group for so it could be just a very small number who even remember that prompt when we had it the first time around. So don't let that put you off making the suggestion, Tracy. It's difficult to come up with a completely original set of prompts every year and there's no rule against repeats from previous years (I have seen several been recycled over the years I've been here) so there's no harm at all in suggesting it. :)

[Kahlia]

I like the something borrowed, something blue prompt though I'm not sure if I'd vote for it because I'd prefer 3 weeks or less for the multi-week prompt.

[Chrissy]

Something old… was my suggestion the first year I did the challenge! 2018, I think?

[Shannon SA]

Tracy wrote: "Sorry to be so overactive today — I've been saving up since I've been on jury duty for 4 months...

Two ideas for Multi-week Prompts (although they may be TOO long since they are both for 4 weeks):..."

Not too much - I would vote for seasons and the something old ... etc (although I wouldn't read romance/weddings!)
I don't think 4 weeks is too much, after all, they are 4 different books, really.

[Ellie]

Tracy wrote: "I like rabbits fine, but it's not necessarily something I'm drawn to reading about, unless there's something I'm unaware of that would make it fascinating...."

Welcome to the group! The idea of the prompt isn't to read about rabbits, that would definitely be less popular. You could read a book with a rabbit on the cover or in the title. Or it could be a different connection like an author called Warren or Burrows.

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo is out next year and while I think it's technically a hare on the cover I would still count that for the prompt and that's going to be a big release.

Or if the prompt is related to the Year of the Rabbit that opens it up even further. We're all about creative prompt interpretations here!

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

This will be my... seventh? year doing ATY, and I'll be the first to say that I don't really get the whole "we did it before so we can't do it again" mentality. I loved the wedding rhyme prompt and would vote for it again this year! I think it was my favorite of any of the 4-week prompts we've ever done.

I can see not wanting a repeat in the last couple of years, but the wedding rhyme was on the 2019 list (and while that feels like just last year, it will actually be 4 years out from the 2023 list...). I think that's a great one to suggest. I just went back and looked at previous lists, and we have reused almost every prompt from the 2017 list already in recent years!

All that to say, we will be limiting multiweek prompts to no more than 6 total weeks next year (this year we had seven total weeks - a 3 week and two 2 weeks), so a four week prompt may have less of a chance of making it in if there are some solid 2 or 3 week prompts.