[2023] Wild Discussion Showing 2,151-2,200 of 4,060

[Meg]

I like list prompts and agree that both millions and npr are great lists

[Martha]

NPR has already done a half-year compilation of books, the first year they've done so. I hope they do another at the end of the year. I like both the Millions lists and NPR concierge/whatever it's called now lists. The Millions lists are anticipated releases and NPR list is a list of notable books already read.

[Joy D]

Thank you all for answering my question about lists!

[Ellie]

Juliet Brown wrote: "I was trying to ignore it , but I can’t anymore. A Rook is NOT a crow. It is a member the corvidae family, which includes crows. But like Raven, Jackdaws and Magpies it is an entirely separate spec..."

Sorry I was referring to crows as the family, people tend to think corvid is a typo of covid these days, so I avoid using it online! I didn't think there was an actual species just known as "crow"? Where I live we have rooks, jackdaws, carrion crows, jays and magpies. They are all in the crow family so that's why I said rook was a crow species.

If a prompt was "related to a rook" I would totally count magpies, if it was "about a rook" I wouldn't.

[Ellie]

I do prefer the wording "related to a chess piece" over "related to chess" or a wordier one to explain what chess pieces are. If the book is about chess, surely it has chess pieces in, so you can count it?

[LeahS]

I would agree, but if you made it 'related to a chess piece or pieces' then that might make it easier for people who want to read a book simply about chess.

[Juliet]

Ellie the species that are the ‘American Crow’, ´Hawaiian Crow’ and ´Jamaican Crow’ are all typically just called ´crows’ locally

[dalex]

The Millions lists are not really my thing. I can usually find something on an older list that’s on my TBR but when they’re first released most of the books seem really obscure. I’m also not crazy about the focus on world lit and lack of speculative fiction.

[Nadine in NY]

Tracy wrote: "@Nadine in NY: Thanks for introducing the Millions Most Anticipated List! I have a few on my TBR already and there are many more that look interesting. If you wanted to suggest this list I’d up vot..."



Okay, if I'm around during a suggestion period, and we don't get another list, I will suggest it!!

The Millions has been doing a Most Anticipated list since 2013, from what I can tell. Are people more interested in finding a book on ANY of their lists, or is it better to restrict it to 2022 & 2023?

[Nadine in NY]

dalex wrote: "The Millions lists are not really my thing. I can usually find something on an older list that’s on my TBR but when they’re first released most of the books seem really obscure. I’m also not crazy ..."



Haha we are opposites! That's exactly why I like their lists - it helps me balance the heavy dose of mystery & SFF that I read with something different. I'm happiest if I'm reading something different all the time, if I stick to one type of book, I get antsy. (For this same reason, I can't read an entire series in one go, I have to take breaks between books and read something else.)

[Edie]

Nadine in NY wrote: "dalex wrote: "The Millions lists are not really my thing. I can usually find something on an older list that’s on my TBR but when they’re first released most of the books seem really obscure. I’m a..."

You are my kind of reader... variety.... reading series over time, spaced out by different sorts of books.

[Ellie]

I like looking through The Millions Most Anticipated but agree it's usually got a lot of obscure titles on that aren't always available outside of America. Although looking at the latest it has a lot more mainstream books that I've heard of before. I can highly recommend Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and Our Wives Under the Sea and I'm not a big lit fic reader.

[Dubhease]

Jill wrote: "Oh dear. I have looked at all four lists and there is nothing on any of them that I have marked to read. I suppose that shows how out of touch I am!"

There is nothing on my TBR list either. Apparently this person and I have different definitions of anticipated books.

This is one of my dislikes with list prompts - who makes the list? How many people are on the committee? Is it just one person's bias?

The only list prompt I like is the ATY best books of the month because at least I know where the list comes from - us!

[Nadine in NY]

Dubhease wrote: "... who makes the list? How many people are on the committee? Is it just one person's bias? ..."


The Millions is an on-line magazine about books & the arts, and the Most Anticipated lists are put together twice a year by their staff editors & writers. If you read the original lists on the site, it explains why each book is on the list and who chose it. I don't know who creates the Listopias, if it's someone affiliated with the Millions or just a fan.


For example, here are the articles for the 2022 lists, in case it is more appealing when you read the original:
https://themillions.com/2022/01/most-...
https://themillions.com/2022/07/most-...


And here is the list of their three dozen staff editors and writers (which includes some familiar names like Edan Lepucki & Emily St. John Mandel, among others!)
https://themillions.com/about-the-mil...

[Joy D]

Even knowing who chose the book does not give me much info on whether or not I will like it. Unless I follow themillions publications (which I don't) I do not know the tastes of the selectors, and familiar names mean little in terms of taste in books.

[Marie]

Nadine in NY wrote: "The Millions has been doing a Most Anticipated list since 2013, from what I can tell. Are people more interested in finding a book on ANY of their lists, or is it better to restrict it to 2022 & 2023?"

We already have a book published in 2023 on next year's list, (and a 2022 book on this year's list), so it'd be a downvote for me if it was restricted.

[Mahi]

I was looking at past Popsugar prompts, and a book with alliteration in the title sounds fun.

[Marta]

Nadine in NY wrote: "I'm happiest if I'm reading something different all the time, if I stick to one type of book, I get antsy. (For this same reason, I can't read an entire series in one go, I have to take breaks between books and read something else.)"

I am the same way! I tend to choose something quite different from my last read. Series are a bit different for me, I usually get into them and read a few all at once, then I have to take a break.

[Marta]

I looked at The Millions list and I am not a fan. New contemporary fiction almost always disappoints me, so I let it ripen until I see a review that makes me want to read it. I do occasionally read new genre fiction or a book by someone whom I love (I jumped on Project Hail Mary), and I do like my non-fiction hot off the press. However I don’t see anything on these lists that I would want to read. Perhaps an older one, but definitely not any new ones.

Edit: I actually got Shit Cassandra Saw from the library because I was intrigued by the title. I only read two pages before realizing it was absolutely not my kind of book, so I returned it.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Joy D wrote: "It certainly has a lot more options than some of the lists.

I would really like to understand more about the appeal of lists. Don't get me wrong. I am not totally opposed to them. I am just curious."

I like lists that put together seemingly disparate books around a theme and it helps me think of its contents differently and I emerge in an unexpected place.

[Michelle]

Since there aren’t many character prompts, maybe we could throw character with a disability back into the ring again - or some version of it?

[Tracy]

Michelle - please feel free to re-suggest the character with a disability prompt if you want. I’m working on another character prompt this week.

[Mahi]

Speaking of character prompts, how about tweaking the Wizard of Oz prompt?

It was originally "A book related to the characters in The Wizard of Oz
You've got lions, witches (no wardrobes), men made of metal, teenage girls, little people, horses of different colors (ok that wasn't in the book), wizards (real and fake)...."

Maybe we could limit it to Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion to make it a tighter prompt.

I would also vote for the character with a disability one.

[Mandy]

I would be down for more character prompts. I think there are two or three others on the didn’t make it list. Character with an Interesting job too, if memory serves.

[NancyJ]

Nadine in NY wrote: "Dubhease wrote: "... who makes the list? How many people are on the committee? Is it just one person's bias? ..."

The Millions is an on-line magazine about books & the arts, and the Most Anticipa..."

My favorite is NPR Books We Love. I think the whole list is easier, but I also like many of the sub-lists.

The Millions is OK, but I would strongly prefer to NOT limit the list dates to just 2022 or 2023. This makes it easier for those who rely on libraries (which might have long wait lists), and for those who would rather read books vetted by a greater variety of readers. Or as Marta said, books that have "ripened."

[NancyJ]

For character prompts - I like the disabilities prompt that was proposed recently, and also a religious character.

"A book with a religious character (nun, priest, monk, born-again Christian, etc.)." It doesn't need to be the "main" character.
Or
"A book with a religious character or topic." This allows for non-fiction books or memoirs, and religion subtopics. (e.g. atheism, religion v science, spiritual experiences, a Mormon or Muslim family, or a character who is trying to escape from a locked convent, scientology, or extremist group. (e.g. Magdalen Girls, Transcendent Kingdom, Small Thing as These, Study of Scarlet, Beekeeper of Aleppo.)

Another topic:
a book with a medical character, setting or topic. For instance, Little Black Lies is a thriller set in a hospital, about a psychiatric intern who solves a mystery about a patient. (The author is also a neurologist.)

If "what if" doesn't get in, I would like this:
Read a history or alternate* history book. I think the way this is phrased allows for non-fiction, historical fiction or alternative history.

* Is the term alternate or alternative history?

I'm warming up to the idea of "A book related to a character from the Wizard of Oz"

[NancyJ]

Lynn wrote: "*A book from NYPL's 125th Anniversary "Books We Love" lists.

The NYPL listing of 125 favorite books in celebration of their 125th anniversary in 2020. There are 3 lists:
1) Adults:
https://www.ny..."

This is a stellar list. It contains many books that inspire comments like "I can't believe I waited so long to read this book!" The books might not be new, but many are 'new-to-me,"

[Ellie]

NancyJ wrote: "* Is the term alternate or alternative history?..."

It's usually alternate.

[Irene]

@NancyJ, as someone who generally downvotes everything related to religion/faith, I like the wording of "a book with a religious character" and would vote for it. There are lots of books with religious side characters (especially in historical fiction) that don't have religion/faith as a core theme so I think it's a good way to open up the prompt a bit. I don't think you have to add "or topic" because any book with a religious topic would surely mention at least one religious character.

I also really like "a book with a medical character or setting".

@Tracy I strongly prefer having "chess piece" in the prompt rather than just "related to chess". I know it's meant to open it up more, but for by-the-letter readers like me it actually would make it a lot more restrictive since I would have to find a book about literal chess. With the chess pieces, there are so many more directions you can take it.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

NancyJ wrote: If "what if" doesn't get in, I would like this:
Read a history or alternate* history book. I think the way this is phrased allows for non-fiction, historical fiction or alternative history..."

I love me some alternative history- about half my books this year count, but since it was a prompt this year, people might not support it.

[Tracy]

@Irene - I see that you are not the only one who would prefer that the chess prompt NOT include “related to chess”, but only “related to chess pieces”. I totally agree, and that has been my intent all along. I have no idea where the “related to chess” idea came in, but as far as I know it wasn’t from me.

Rest assured, when Suggestion are being made, I will only be suggesting “chess pieces”. ♟

[NancyJ]

Pamela wrote: "NancyJ wrote: If "what if" doesn't get in, I would like this:
Read a history or alternate* history book. I think the way this is phrased allows for non-fiction, historical fiction or alternative hi..."

Well, technically, it was only a third of a prompt this year. I read books about an alternate life and alternate world, but not alt history this year yet.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the results of poll 9. There is only one that I'm taking for granted, and maybe even that one isn't a given.

[Alicia]

The related to chess was me 😞

I thought the related “in some way to 1 of 6” was a bit clunky. So was suggesting ways to make it more streamlined. I like the prompt so I’d vote for related to a chess piece or related to chess, but I don’t think you need the 1 of 6 (what if someone wants to read about 2 chess pieces!) and in some way is already covered by related to.

[Nancy]

I do agree that the pieces don't need to be named in the prompt, I've seen variations of it and I like prompts that are streamlined, so "A book related to a chess piece" is my preference. "A book with a character or setting related to a chess piece" just seems overly wordy.

I was looking through my top votes that can be resubmitted and I like these:

A book related to one of the 12 Western astrological signs (I may do this as a side challenge)
A book featuring a character with paranormal or supernatural abilities
A book from the point of view of a person with a physical, sensory, learning, mental, or medical disability (though I do think this needs to be cut to just "a disability," no need to name them all)

I also may resubmit my main character who is an athlete at some point.

[Alicia]

Also agree for disability. I think just a character with a disability is enough. I know there is debate to what is considered a disability but that’s something each reader cam choose gif themselves when selecting a book

[Tracy]

@NancyJ - The chess prompt was my initial idea, Alicia had just made a suggestion about wording.

I will probably go with something like “A book relating to at least one of the chess pieces”.

I can see some people thinking that only one can be used if “relating to a chess piece” is used, and others who might think more than one is necessary if “relating to chess pieces” is used. We can be a literal bunch! 🥰

[NancyJ]

Do you think it's too soon to submit another travel related prompt? Or should I wait a couple weeks? I simplified my original "On the Road" idea, and combined it with the song "On the Road again." Both the Kerouac book and the Willie Nelson song are associated with travel, freedom, and singular approaches to life.

Read a book related to "On the Road Again."
"On the road again" -
-a book involving some form of travel (car, bus, plane, train).
-a book with "on the road" in the title (Kerouc or other books)

" The life I love is makin' music with my friends"
- a book about musicians, or making music with friends
- traveling with friends, "road-trips"
- traveling between gigs, concerts, jobs, projects
- A book about roadies, musicians, (or perhaps other people who travel as part of their work.)

"Just can't wait to get on the road again"
- a character with wanderlust
- a character who doesn't like to stay in one place.
- a character who can't wait to leave, perhaps running away from a family, spouse or job.

"Going places I've never seen"
- any character visiting someplace new. Sightseeing, bus tours
"Seeing things I may never see again."
-Could also mean going home, visiting old haunts,
- or seeing people I may never see again.

"Like a band of gypsies"
- a book about Romani people, Travelers.
- or vagabonds, wanderers, hobos, jet-setters, retirees, families
- people traveling across country in campers, buses, riding the rails (trains), etc.
- or nomads (e.g. Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century)

"Insisting that the world be turnin' our way"
- a character traveling to "find themselves," make a decision, set goals. A Native American or spiritual ritual or quest. A walkabout.
- Working for a cause or a quest to change the world. Going to a demonstration, convention, charity concert, political event.
- political campaign workers, activists, union organizers.
- a journalist or photographer on the road following big events.

A book related to Nelson's or Kerouc's lifestyles, values, goals,
- living a life you love, freedom to do what you love
- Drugs might be involved (Nelson is well known for liking weed).

OTHER ideas?
-----
Lyrics - Willy Nelson's version
On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again
And I can't wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies, we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way

Is on the road again

[Irene]

@Tracy, to be honest I don't think you need the "at least one" part. Like Nancy, my preferred wording is "A book related to a chess piece". I take prompts super literally but I don't think anyone would not read a book with a king as the main character because there is also a queen, knight, and castle and therefore more than one chess piece that's related. Since it's not "related to exactly one chess piece" I think it's fine the way it was phrased originally. Just my 2 cents! :)

[Ellie]

NancyJ wrote: "Do you think it's too soon to submit another travel related prompt? Or should I wait a couple weeks? I simplified my original "On the Road" idea, and combined it with the song "On the Road again." ..."

I'd vote for this, it has the benefit of being a song prompt but it not really needing you to know or look at the song to do.

[Nancy]

What Irene said. :)

[NancyJ]

Irene wrote: "@NancyJ, as someone who generally downvotes everything related to religion/faith, I like the wording of "a book with a religious character" and would vote for it. There are lots of books with relig..."

Thanks Irene, Religion is involved in many historical events and people's lives, so it's hard to ignore. More importantly, some of these books are interesting. I think I need "topic" too because because some books have a religious topic, but we might not see someone in a religious job. It might involve internal conflicts, family, neighbors, fundamentalists, or events.

[Kathy]

NancyJ wrote: "Do you think it's too soon to submit another travel related prompt? Or should I wait a couple weeks? I simplified my original "On the Road" idea, and combined it with the song "On the Road again." ..."

I really like this: Read a book related to "On the Road Again."

[Nadine in NY]

NancyJ wrote: "Do you think it's too soon to submit another travel related prompt? Or should I wait a couple weeks? I simplified my original "On the Road" idea, and combined it with the song "On the Road again." ..."




In general I do not like song prompts, I don't see the appeal in linking a challenge category to song lyrics, I am just over it. BUT I do like the "travel" idea, I voted for past suggestions, and I would vote for this one. And hopefully that would end the attempt to get a song prompt in, too, for 2023 - bonus!

[Tracy]

Irene wrote: "@Tracy, to be honest I don't think you need the "at least one" part. Like Nancy, my preferred wording is "A book related to a chess piece". I take prompts super literally but I don't think anyone w..."

@Irene and @Nancy - thanks, I actually prefer the shorter version anyway!

Edit: Does "connected to" vs "related to" have any different meaning to anyone?

[Jillian]

Tracy, I don’t mind “connected to” or “related to.” They seem pretty interchangeable to me.

I do know some members care, but I don’t recall why they prefer one over the other or which one they prefer.

[Tracy]

Jillian wrote: "Tracy, I don’t mind “connected to” or “related to.” They seem pretty interchangeable to me.

I do know some members care, but I don’t recall why they prefer one over the other or which one they pre..."

Thanks Jillian. I suppose when I suggest it any concerns may be voiced then. Personally I kind of like "connected to" better because somehow it seems like it more easily give you the freedom to choose something like "King Pin" over an actual king. But that may just be my own connotations of the words.

[Ellie]

I tend to find related a wider term than connected but for the sake of this challenge I treat them the same.

[dalex]

Nancy wrote: " I like prompts that are streamlined, so "A book related to a chess piece" is my preference. "A book with a character or setting related to a chess piece" just seems overly wordy."

In my opinion, those are two very different prompts. If the original suggester of the prompt really wants a connection between a chess piece and a book character, I think that needs to be explicitly stated. "Related to" prompts can be interrupted very broadly, so much so that the connection may not be clear to others without an explanation.

For example, when we had the "related to NATO" prompt one of the books I was considering to use was Tangerine, because there is a character named Lucy and lucy is a golf term and golf is the NATO phonetic for the letter G.

[Tracy]

dalex wrote: "Nancy wrote: " I like prompts that are streamlined, so "A book related to a chess piece" is my preference. "A book with a character or setting related to a chess piece" just seems overly wordy."

I..."

Ok, you inspired me to do a tiny bit of research instead of going with my gut feeling on "related to" vs "connected to". Seems the two are pretty much interchangeable, at least for our purposes. The dictionary uses each word to help define the other. And after going through ALL the ATY 52 prompt lists over time I see that we use them pretty interchangeably also — although we seem to favor using "related to".

So I suppose I'll just go with " A book related to a chess piece".

[Tracy]

I don't remember who was talking about suggesting "A book by an author with punctuation in their name", but I hope you do suggest it! A fun sort through my TBR.