Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2023] Wild Discussion
Amy (Other Amy) wrote: "This came to me early in the morning last week, but it was right as suggestions were opening and I wasn't ready to go. How do you all feel about:A book with an echo
The focus here would be on a s..."
I googled to find literary terms about repetition in writing. There are many. Examples came from books by
– Ann Patchett, The PATRON Saint of Liars
--Joyce Carol Oates, Small Avalanches and Other Stories
– Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Half of a Yellow Sun
– Nicholson Baker, The Everlasting Story of Nory
– Joshua Ferris, Then We Came to the End
– Joshua Ferris, To Rise Again at a Decent Hour
– Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Wizard of the Crow
– Shusaku Endo, Deep River
– Thomas Pynchon, Gravity’s Rainbow
– Colm Toibin, The Testament of Mary
A Tale of Two City - it was the best of time, it was the worst of times etc.
The Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain
Deep River by Shusaku Endo
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy
There are some animals who use echolocation, eg. whales, dolphins and bats. I haven't read any of these so don't know if they specifically go into echolocation, but could be an option for non-fiction readers:
How to Speak Whale
Soundings: Journeys in the Company of Whales
Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures
The Secret Lives of Bats: My Adventures with the World's Most Misunderstood Mammals
Prompt suggestion for tomorrow. Do we know what time it will start? I can try to schedule a break for that time. If I can't, will someone post it for me?"A second book that fits your favorite prompt.
For when it's hard to read just one."
Is this clear enough?
Katie wrote: "Prompt suggestion for tomorrow. Do we know what time it will start? I can try to schedule a break for that time. If I can't, will someone post it for me?"A second book that fits your favorite pro..."
Yes, that's good.
Katie wrote: "Prompt suggestion for tomorrow. Do we know what time it will start? I can try to schedule a break for that time. If I can't, will someone post it for me?"A second book that fits your favorite pro..."
Normally thye reval the time for the next suggestions when they announce this polls results
Mod
Only 6 spots remaining on the list!
Our next five prompts are up for discussion over on the KIS/BIO board! 10. A Book that is Dark
Baseline: "Genre-such as dark noir, dark fantasy, true crime, horror; Topics- war, slavery, plague/disease; Cover-black, mid night blue, night time"
11. A Book that is Light
Baseline: "Genre- up lit, beach reads, humor...; Theme- family, friends; Cover- bright colors, daytime; Physical- short not a door stop"
12. A title that contains a word often found in a recipe
Baseline: examples could be Add, Fold, Mix, Stir, Blend, Chop, Crush, Measure, Pour, Bake, Heat, Melt or ingredients such as Flour, Sugar, Water, Milk, Eggs, measurements such as Cup, Teaspoon, Half, Spices/seasoning (Salt, Thyme, Bay, etc)
13. A book set in a UNESCO City of Literature
Baseline: "List of 42 Unesco Cities found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of..."
14. A book with ONE of the five "W" questions in the title
Baseline: "who, what, where, when OR why"
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Thanks everyone for the votes on the list!Nadine in NY wrote: "I was not so sure about the "echo" idea, it feels nebulous and I don't fully understand. I thought it was about titles that have an "echo" like There There, but the Listopia and dis..."
It can certainly be interpreted in a nebulous fashion, but repeated words in titles definitely would work. I asked people to focus away from titles just because there are already several Listopias for titles. That may have been a strategic error on my part!
NancyJ wrote: "Alicia wrote: "I just read Beartown a couple weeks ago (I’m very behind). Reading Us Against You now and hoping I get lucky on Tuesday and get to be one of the first on the library waiting list!"..."I have been debating whether I wanted to reread both of the first two books before launching into The Winners and I still haven't decided although I do have copy of The Winners now. I may read it and then do a reread of all three later...
Nadine in NY wrote: "dalex wrote: "Echo is a poem by Christina Rosetti. That could be inspiration for ideas.https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem..."
I would be interested in a prompt that directs us to find a book related to a poem. I suggested something similar last year and got zero traction on the idea, so I'm skeptical that this would get anywhere, but I'd vote for it!!"
As you know, Nadine, I loved that prompt and used it for so many of the books I've read this year! :)
Here is the poem: Echo BY CHRISTINA ROSSETTI
Come to me in the silence of the night;
Come in the speaking silence of a dream;
Come with soft rounded cheeks and eyes as bright
As sunlight on a stream;
Come back in tears,
O memory, hope, love of finished years.
Oh dream how sweet, too sweet, too bitter sweet,
Whose wakening should have been in Paradise,
Where souls brimfull of love abide and meet;
Where thirsting longing eyes
Watch the slow door
That opening, letting in, lets out no more.
Yet come to me in dreams, that I may live
My very life again tho’ cold in death:
Come back to me in dreams, that I may give
Pulse for pulse, breath for breath:
Speak low, lean low,
As long ago, my love, how long ago.
Link: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...
I see this is very flexible and open to many interpretations, especially once I have read a book. Just as I found Nadine's suggestion from last year.
Ellie wrote: "There are some animals who use echolocation, eg. whales, dolphins and bats. I haven't read any of these so don't know if they specifically go into echolocation, but could be an option for non-fic..."
Oooohhh...now that's creative! :)
NancyJ wrote: "Song titles - When Titles that Stand Out was proposed last week, I thought of titles with song names or lyrics in them. (I've still got Strange Magic in my head from the suggestions a few days ago.)"Ha! Ha! You are welcome! ;)
Katie wrote: "Prompt suggestion for tomorrow. Do we know what time it will start? I can try to schedule a break for that time. If I can't, will someone post it for me?"A second book that fits your favorite pro..."
Katie - are you able to take your break during the suggestion round?
I'd really like you (or someone) to try again with "second book that fits your favorite prompt"! Although I might not use it for a 'favorite' prompt, but a prompt for which I have several great options.
I had planned on suggesting my "a book set in a workplace" prompt that we've been discussing, but now I see that my prompt from last week, "a book where the cover design includes text that is not completely horizontal", was a close call.Since we are close to finishing I want to be sure to suggest prompts that there is truly an interest in. Which has more interest for you?
1) "A book set in a workplace"
or
2) "A book where the cover design includes text that is not completely horizontal"
I have several other ideas, but none are as researched as these yet, and some I'm definitely saving for 2024 suggestions.
I'm all for the nonhorizontal text on the cover.
I want to try resubmitting the title prompt next time but reworded to make it more clear it's about the words of the title.Maybe "unusual or surprising title" instead of attention-grabbing?
Tracy wrote: "I had planned on suggesting my "a book set in a workplace" prompt that we've been discussing, but now I see that my prompt from last week, "a book where the cover design includes text that is not c..."Perhaps someone else could suggest the alternate (whichever one you don't select)? Just a thought. I wouldn't mind doing it but not sure I'll be online at that time.
Joy D wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I had planned on suggesting my "a book set in a workplace" prompt that we've been discussing, but now I see that my prompt from last week, "a book where the cover design includes text..."Thanks for the great idea JoyD!
Mahi wrote: "I want to try resubmitting the title prompt next time but reworded to make it more clear it's about the words of the title.Maybe "unusual or surprising title" instead of attention-grabbing?"
I think "unusual or surprising title" might be clearer. I would have thought the way you suggested this past week would be clear, but obviously not. For that reason "attention-grabbing" could also be misconstrued to be more of a graphic surprise as well.
I had earlier also suggested "title that stands out in a crowd".
Now that I re-re-review all of these, I can STILL see that someone might think of it graphically.
How about "a book using a string of words you never expected in a title", or something along those lines?
Whatever you choose, this is definitely an up vote for me!
The prompt as it was submitted for voting was:"A book with an eye-catching title"
I do see how that is confusing people with the graphics, because titles (for my mind) are things you hear, not see. So I think some people would think what mattered was how the title looked.
I like unusual or surprising title, for what it's worth.
Tracy wrote: "Mahi wrote: "I want to try resubmitting the title prompt next time but reworded to make it more clear it's about the words of the title.Maybe "unusual or surprising title" instead of attention-gr..."
Sorry for the confusion, I didn't submit the prompt last time, but I do want to try it again this week.
I like "set in a workplace" and would be happy to submit it if you'd be willing to write up the supporting text and suggestions.
Mahi wrote: "Sorry for the confusion, I didn't submit the prompt last time, but do I want to try it again this week."Sure, no worries! I just didn't want the discussion to be focused on fixing the wrong idea :-)
(ETA: I definitely do want this prompt to make it. I love titles.)
Thanks for offering @Nancy! I will put something together for you :)
Amy (Other Amy) wrote: "The prompt as it was submitted for voting was:"A book with an eye-catching title"
I do see how that is confusing people with the graphics, because titles (for my mind) are things you hear, not se..."
How about 'an unexpected title'? or 'a book you choose so you could find out what the title meant?' I love the moment when a title makes sense...it's an aha moment for me.
My most recent example was "One Day All This Will be Yours" with a picture of a T-Rex on the cover. No spoilers, but it wasn't what I expected in the best possible way.
Mod
"A second book that fits your favorite pro..."
If I remember, I'll be there there and if I don't see you, is it ok if I post it? Otherwise, I'll second it or the poetry prompt.
So many good ideas with only 6 prompts left!
Does anyone know? — If I start a listopia to support a suggestion, can the moderators edit it for our use, i.e., update the name to include [ATY52], and possibly any description they want to add or update?
Tracy wrote: "I had planned on suggesting my "a book set in a workplace" prompt that we've been discussing, but now I see that my prompt from last week, "a book where the cover design includes text that is not c..."The non horizontal text on the cover
Tracy wrote: "Does anyone know? — If I start a listopia to support a suggestion, can the moderators edit it for our use, i.e., update the name to include [ATY52], and possibly any description they want to add or..."No, if you start a Listopia, anyone can add titles to it, but only you can edit the name & description.
Mahi wrote: "I want to try resubmitting the title prompt next time but reworded to make it more clear it's about the words of the title.Maybe "unusual or surprising title" instead of attention-grabbing?"
Unusual or quirky title
Or
Unusual/quirky/weird/strange title
Or
A title that arouses your curiosity
Nadine in NY wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Does anyone know? — If I start a listopia to support a suggestion, can the moderators edit it for our use, i.e., update the name to include [ATY52], and possibly any description they ..."Thanks Nadine. I could update the title for our use, unless the mods like to have ownership of our Listopias.
@Mods?
Mod
Thanks Emily! I’ll put it in my calendar to remind you :)
Emily wrote: "Yes! I don't mind doing that, as I'm a GR librarian and have full edit access to listopias. Just give me a heads up before voting closes (like... remind me that we have this listopia the day before..."Good to know! I didn't realize GR Librarians could edit the description!
I have a topic very dear to my heart that I hope to be able to suggest tomorrow - banned books. I know it's been done before, but this has reached critical mass. I follow the American Library Association as often as I can. They report that in 2021 they tracked 729 challenges to public library, school, and university materials and services, representing challenges to 1,597 individual book titles. That was the largest number of attempted book bans in public and school libraries since OIF began tracking challenges 20 years ago. 2022 will beat it. This year as of August 31, there are already 681 challenges representing 1,651 individual titles.
Gail wrote: "I have a topic very dear to my heart that I hope to be able to suggest tomorrow - banned books. I know it's been done before, but this has reached critical mass. I follow the American Library Assoc..."Gail, is there a website where we can see this newest batch of challenged books?
Tracy wrote: "Gail wrote: "I have a topic very dear to my heart that I hope to be able to suggest tomorrow - banned books. I know it's been done before, but this has reached critical mass. I follow the American ..."The American Library Association was only detailing the top 10. However, I am also a member of PEN America and found more info there.
This link is to the PEN.org April 2022 report of all things book banned. Some very enlightening statistics.
https://pen.org/banned-in-the-usa/
This link is to a spreadsheet that PEN America maintains, showing the books (and authors) that were banned from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
I started a listopia, but unfortunately was limited to only 100 entries.
Gail wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Gail wrote: "I have a topic very dear to my heart that I hope to be able to suggest tomorrow - banned books. I know it's been done before, but this has reached critical mass. I follow..."Thanks Gail. If you provide a link to your listopia then people can preview for interest, and possibly contribute to the list from other sources, like the link you provided above.
EDIT: After looking at some of the books/authors from the Pen America link you provided I found that there were many books on my TBR also on this list. I would support this as a prompt.
Tracy wrote: "Gail wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Gail wrote: "I have a topic very dear to my heart that I hope to be able to suggest tomorrow - banned books. I know it's been done before, but this has reached critical m..."Thanks Tracy. And if you get here before me, please feel free to suggest.
Here is the link for the PEN America spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Listopia started:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Gail wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Gail wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Gail wrote: "I have a topic very dear to my heart that I hope to be able to suggest tomorrow - banned books. I know it's been done before, but this has reac..."Does the PEN list give the stated reasons? Because I would love to know why a picture book biography of Ada Lovelace is challenged!!!
ETA: Wow it does NOT give a reason for both this picture book and Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code are both BANNED from classrooms in York by the admin. I cannot imagine anything even objectionable-adjacent to even the most sensitive or conservative person in these picture books. I've read the Grace Hopper book.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Gail wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Gail wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Gail wrote: "I have a topic very dear to my heart that I hope to be able to suggest tomorrow - banned books. I know it's been done before, but ..."I did a Google search and what I saw was a district created a resource of diverse books. Then the entire list got banned, but then they kinda back tracked and said not everything was banned 🤷♀️. The source I read might not be accurate so I’m not linking it.
Jillian wrote: "I did a Google search and what I saw was a district created a resource of diverse books. Then the entire list got banned, but then they kinda back tracked and said not everything was banned 🤷♀️. The source I read might not be accurate so I’m not linking it...."that sounds believable. They got their delicate sensibilities worked up, mass-banned a huge pile of books, back-tracked to avoid criticism, and didn't bother checking to see what was still banned, because who cares if some scientific & educational materials are banned from a school.
Is anyone planning to submit any genres tomorrow? Genres, concepts, topics, themes? We seem to be very heavy on titles and covers, plus we have many other "related" prompts that could easily be used for titles of covers. Please can we take a break from them this week?
I love the echo idea - It's a very creative topic with something for writers as well as readers. The book ideas are great so far. All of the Beartown books fit.
I would love to see something on the environment, the big movement in migration, extinction/evolution, nature, change, culture. This idea might touch on some of them:
A book about a fish out of water.
A book about someone who is living or working with people who seem to be in a different culture. A book about someone who feels like an alien in their new surroundings.
This could be someone:
who is seen as an alien, feels like an alien, or IS an alien in a new place (or planet)
who moved to a place with a very different culture or lifestyle.
who is living, working, or going to school in a new country or region.
who escaped from a war-torn area and is now living in a detention camp or shelter
who married into, or whose parent married into a family from a new culture/group/sub-culture
working on an international assignment,
traveling, spying or lost in another country.
like a mermaid trying to survive on land.
who is suddenly around people of a different race, religion, life-style, economic status, sexual identity, political views, ethnicity, etc.
who is working with a visitor from another world/culture
a liberal working in a conservative company, or vice versa
A rich person suddenly poor or vice versa.
Jillian wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Gail wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Gail wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Gail wrote: "I have a topic very dear to my heart that I hope to be able to suggest tomorrow - banned books. I know it's b..."It happened in York, PA. The school board banned the whole list of diverse books. It was the students, teachers, and other community members who contacted the media and then picketed. Only after the major networks and newspapers reported on it did they "change their minds". As a PA resident, with cousins, nieces and nephews who graduated through that system, I couldn't have been more disgusted.
The school district recently (in the last few days) tried making waves that the books listed were "distorted" by some folks. ("Girls Who Code" was on the list.) (PEN America and others.) PEN America has responded with their own statement, including the original list of books emailed to the teachers in the school system. See response here: https://pen.org/press-release/pen-ame...
NancyJ wrote: "Is anyone planning to submit any genres tomorrow? Genres, concepts, topics, themes? We seem to be very heavy on titles and covers, plus we have many other "related" prompts that could easily be u..."
How about a book relating to natural disasters?
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
banned books will be a downvote for me firstly becuase its over done and secondly because I find it hard to fill without stretching the pormpt to the American understanding of the term which I never feel confortable using.
I'd heard about all the LGBT+ book banning, but are they are also on a mission to stop kids reading about vampires? And I am baffled at one state managing to ban the first volume of Saga but none of the others. Did they just look at the first few pages and go "NIPPLES! URGH!" over a breast feeding scene and not get to the alien sex part?Well, at least a banned books prompt has just got easier.
Gail wrote: "I started a listopia, but unfortunately was limited to only 100 entries..."I've added another 100, since I will find it helpful if and when I do another banned books prompt, it's a reminder I have loads of books that count.
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Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Harriet the Spy (other topics)The Kaiju Preservation Society (other topics)
The It Girl (other topics)
The Lost Metal (other topics)
The Kaiju Preservation Society (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Louise Fitzhugh (other topics)Susanna Kearsley (other topics)
Jhumpa Lahiri (other topics)
Salman Rushdie (other topics)
Celeste Ng (other topics)
More...
A Gentleman in Moscow - takes place in a hotel, main character works there at one point
Can also add:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow gaming company
A Rip Through Time coroner's lab
The Eyre Affair police department
The Cartographers map research & library
Sourdough bakery/public market
The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London non-fiction, man who works in the Tower of London
Just One Damned Thing After Another first of a series, time traveling historian researchers
Hench anti-hero office
Don of the Q: An American Don Quixote for the Atomic Age convenience store
The Martian astronaut at work on Mars
The Coroner's Lunch coroner lab, etc.
The Girl in His Shadow doctor's office
The Ministry for the Future future government offices
Before the Coffee Gets Cold cafe
I'm sure I can add more if this gets voted in and we need a Listopia.