Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2023] Wild Discussion
What happens to all the suggestions we have discussed earlier in this thread? Do we have to bring them up again for the next poll?
Hi Joy, the process is explained in the intro post. But a post will go up at some point tomorrow and people will start suggesting prompts, and others will second them. Once a prompt has been seconded it is added to the list of 15 we will vote on. The mods do an amazing job of monitoring that thread and updating the list. Once there are 15 the thread will close, and the next day, the poll will go up.Each person can only suggest OR second one prompt per poll. Typically the person who came up with the idea for the prompt will be the one to suggest it.
Joy D. In the first full poll people will submit suggestions the first 15 which are proposed and seconded are then voted on
I have read the process in the intro post. I was confused about what happens to those ideas we have discussed so far, since they were (intentionally) not included in the first poll.I assume from your answers that they must be re-suggested.
Nothing has been suggested yet, the first suggestions post will open tomorrow. The pre-poll is made up of prompts that have been popular in the past so they don't take up slots for other suggestions.This thread is just to float ideas to see if others like them, come up with different wordings, etc. Nothing in this thread is an actual suggestion yet, other than those agreed upon for the pre-poll. The prompts that didn't get voted in during the pre-poll can all be suggested again for one of the regular polls.
Does that make sense?
Mod
The Wild Discussion is a place to brainstorm and workshop ideas before they are formally suggested in a Suggestions thread. We open the Wild Discussion a month before voting starts so that people can toss around ideas and get a feel for what the other members of the group may enjoy and vote for on their list.
Tomorrow will be our first formal Suggestions thread of the voting process. If you saw a prompt you really loved in the Wild Discussion, feel free to suggest or second it in the Suggestions thread tomorrow. If a prompt gets suggested and seconded, it will be on the poll to vote on.
(As Nancy mentioned, the pre-poll is made up of prompts that are more generic and have been suggested every year, as a way to have them not take up space in the formal suggestions threads. They can always be suggested later though, if you're attached to one that didn't make it in.)
Hope that clarifies things!
Mod
Nancy wrote: "Nothing has been suggested yet, the first suggestions post will open tomorrow. The pre-poll is made up of prompts that have been popular in the past so they don't take up slots for other suggestion..."Yes, it makes perfect sense. Thank you.
Emily wrote: "Hey Joy!The Wild Discussion is a place to brainstorm and workshop ideas before they are formally suggested in a Suggestions thread. We open the Wild Discussion a month before voting starts so tha..."
Yes, it does. Thank you!
What are people planning on suggesting tomorrow?
Mod
Kahlia wrote: "For the Goodreads prompt, what about "a book you first heard of on Goodreads"."I do not know where I first heard of pretty much any of the books on my TBR List. Also, as others have said, Goodreads recommendations are terrible in that they seem completely random and unrelated to anything. Goodreads is my last resource for finding new books to read.
dalex wrote: "Also, as others have said, Goodreads recommendations are terrible in that they seem completely random and unrelated to anything. Goodreads is my last resource for finding new books to read."I don't think it necessarily has to be a book that Goodreads itself recommended you. For example, when I go through the lists and challenge threads for each prompt, there are lots of books that others mention reading that I have never heard of but that sound like something I would enjoy, so this would be a good opportunity to pick up one of those. I get that it may be too broad for others, but it's also a way of keeping the prompt without having people use the recommendations function (which I agree sucks!)
Joy D wrote: "I have read the process in the intro post. I was confused about what happens to those ideas we have discussed so far, since they were (intentionally) not included in the first poll.I assume from ..."
Sorry to repeat key points...
Joy, the ideas suggested in the wild discussion are never automatically added to a poll. Usually the person who came up with the idea will formally nominate (suggest) the prompt in a poll. Sometimes more than one person suggested similar ideas. Some of the ideas sit there forever before someone brings them up again.
We can each submit only one in each poll.
Your ATY setting idea got a lot of positive feedback, and it would be easy for the first poll. If you have a different one that you'd prefer to nominate first, ask someone (or anyone) to nominate your ATY idea. It's helpful if you state it exactly the way you want it, or ask for feedback on the wording if you get here early enough.
Some polls move very quickly, so it's a good idea to be ready when the poll opens. The link will be posted here, or click on the ATY 2023 folder to find the poll.
The moderator will post the prompt, along with a few sentences, lists or links that you provided with your suggestion. Sometimes these make a huge difference to whether the voters feel comfortable with the idea. It's probably not necessary for the ATY settings idea, but it might help to broaden people's interpretations of the prompt. Or find other forms of a name.
Does anyone else already have examples, lists, or something that Joy might provide along with her suggestion?
There will be a place for people to talk about the suggestions before the voting starts, so that's another place for clarifications, examples or ideas.
I found these in the Archives folder - the first poll last year.https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Dubhease wrote: "What are people planning on suggesting tomorrow?"I'm wondering the same thing. I missed a lot of the Wild Discussion so I'm really looking forward to seeing the first suggestions.
I'm hoping for a mix of practical categories, timely themes (like genetics or the environment), 100 year ideas, and totally new ideas.
I really liked the DNA/Genetics idea. (Sorry I don't recall who proposed it or the correct wording). Has anyone workshopped the specific wording or examples? I'm willing to help with examples.
Is anyone working on the 100 year anniversary of the Hollywood Sign.
I think my only original idea so far this year was Birds, Bees, or Bunnies. Prompts about just one of those have failed despite many many tries. My intention is that it would cover 1) books with birds bees or bunnies in the content or title of the books, and 2) books about the meanings of the words together, e.g. pollination, reproduction, eco systems (and maybe even sex or romance). Because of the Supreme Court decision, I'm seeing a lot of blogs with books about reproductive rights. That might fit, and it would be timely. The first definition could be fun and flexible, and the second definition provides a conceptual theme for some of us geeks.
Feedback or help with examples is appreciated. I won't be ready for it this week though.
I’m thinking of first suggesting my NOT cist white and male prompt first
Pamela wrote: "Jill wrote: "I would automatically down vote a podcast as I don’t listen to any, so opening up would be better. Maybe a book that has been recommended to you , then that could come from any source...."Pamela, The Sentence is so good! I read it last winter for a monthly challenge to read books tagged "Books about Books." We found a lot of great new books - more than I expected. Last year the prompt about book lovers didn't get through, but I think Books about Books is a better established term, and it's now considered a genre on goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/book...
What do you think?
NancyJ wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Jill wrote: "I would automatically down vote a podcast as I don’t listen to any, so opening up would be better. Maybe a book that has been recommended to you , then that could come f..."Glad to hear you liked The Sentence - I was a little thrown by the first chapters last night! Not what I expected (Arm-Pit Gate?) but we'll see where it goes...
I might suggest my "A book available on Gutenberg.org" prompt - those who enjoy that sort of thing can go explore🕵🏼♀️, but a lot of classics/older books qualify, and there af both fiction, children's books, non-fiction and poetry options.
Pamela wrote: "Louise Erdrich's The Sentence this year that takes place in a bookstore, with the main character's recommendations being a part of the story. At the end of the book is the list of recommendations:https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/028...
It's a long and broad list which seems should have something for everyone.
edited: there are several listopias that carry part of it
https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8......."
That's interesting that there are multiple Listopias but none are comprehensive. I wish one of those list creators had made a full list!! I know there is a limit for number of titles ONE person can add, but that's when you rope in a second or third person to add the rest of the titles!
I liked The Sentence a lot, and I've read a lot of the books mentioned, but there are quite a few I have not read that I want to read, so I'd enjoy that category!
" Ladies and gentlemen, let the (I don't know the number of prompts selection we are at) begin - and may the odds be ever in your favor!",
Books About Books will definitely get my vote :)
For the List Lovers - any interest?As the Costa Book Awards are sadly no more after 2022, what about Read a Costa Winner or Longlist Finalist (any year)?
Shannon wrote: "For the List Lovers - any interest?As the Costa Book Awards are sadly no more after 2022, what about Read a Costa Winner or Longlist Finalist (any year)?"
Just out of curiosity, do you know how the awards started (how a coffee chain ended up creating a book award) and if the books awarded tend to be food-related in any way? I wonder if Coca-Cola buying Costa Coffee is one of the reasons why the awards were canceled :(
I was thinking on the podcast topic, if it could be expanded to include booktube, bookstagram and Booktok it might get more traction. Myself, I don't listen to podcasts (attention span of a gnat) but bookstagram and booktube are my go to spots for recommendations. However the prompt is worded when it is suggested, it might be helpful to mention these options in the examples.
Irene wrote: "Shannon wrote: "For the List Lovers - any interest?As the Costa Book Awards are sadly no more after 2022, what about Read a Costa Winner or Longlist Finalist (any year)?"
Just out of curiosity, d..."
From my experience htye were not food related any more than the books that were technolgy related were more likely to win the Ornage Prize. It's sjut a you pay for it you get your name on the cover
Irene wrote: "Shannon wrote: "For the List Lovers - any interest?As the Costa Book Awards are sadly no more after 2022, what about Read a Costa Winner or Longlist Finalist (any year)?"
Just out of curiosity, d..."
I took this extract from Wikipedia:
The Costa Book Awards were a set of annual literary awards recognising English-language books by writers based in Britain and Ireland. The Whitbread Book Awards were inaugurated for 1971 publications by the Whitbread company, then a brewery and owner of restaurant chains like Pizza Hut in the UK. The name changed in 2006 when Costa Coffee, then a subsidiary of Whitbread, took over sponsorship.
As far as I can find, no reason has been given for the cancellation.
For what it's worth, I did suggest A book about books last year and it didn't make it, and neither did A book with a character who loves books, though that one was a close call. A couple of pages back I mentioned this but I think it got swallowed up. The idea I had for this year instead is A book where books are important. It could be a book about a writer, a character who loves books, set in a bookstore, etc.
I like the wording A book where books are important.
Thanks Thomas and Shannon (not sure why I didn't think of checking wikipedia after seeing that their website has been taken down)! I would vote for it, the fact that they were discontinued this year makes it more meaningful as a choice for a list prompt for next year's list. I love the prompts that have a connection to the year in some way.
Mod
I often call that newsletter you get towards the end of the month- "coming out soon from authors you like"- the most dangerous e-mail of the month!
whatever you suggest please explain any acronyms, modern language, etc so some of us can understand what you are talking about. A lot of people are English language learners.
Mod
Also if there are any lists already made, linking to those. If I hate your idea but there's a list I can look at, I will go look. There might be books on the list which change my mind.
Mod
I liked but didn't love The Sentence- I felt the pandemic and BLM were too new and she needed some time to stew over them before writing about them. Those sections felt rushed and shallow. Still, well worth a read!
We did a book about books last year or the year before- I'll always vote for it because there's so many good ones! (I read The Shadow of the Wind for it)
Mod
I liked The Sentence a lot, and I've read a lot of the books mentioned, but there are quite a few I have not read that I want to read, so I'd enjoy that category!"
I know! I guess one day when I don't want to work I'll do a full one! Why break it up like that?
Thomas wrote: "I’m thinking of first suggesting my NOT cist white and male prompt first"Do you mean cis?
How about this:
"Read a book with a transgender or non-binary character or author."
*I think if you combine not-sis, and not-male, you're excluding people born as a male, and people born as female who now identify as male, as well as people born female who still identify as female. It excludes almost everyone
Shannon wrote: "For the List Lovers - any interest?As the Costa Book Awards are sadly no more after 2022, what about Read a Costa Winner or Longlist Finalist (any year)?"
I was thinking along these lines as well. They have some good books that we can choose from.
Mod
Nancy - I really prefer books about books because they're much easier to find without having to read review or blurbs. Check out this page to see what I mean.
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/book...
Oops - sorry I was too late commenting
@ Rachel G - Question -where did these lucky colors come from?
karmaweather.com is the website that popped up when I was looking for stuff related to 2023
It could be wrong but hey I figured I could throw out a suggestion
Mod
NancyJ, "Books about books" would fit within the "Books are important" umbrella. For the books I put as examples, it's pretty obvious those are about books in some fashion.Pamela in 2019 we had "A book about reading, books or an author/writer." Which I think is part of why it didn't get in last year. But it's been 4 years since then so hopefully enough time has passed.
Mod
The lucky colors of 2023 are yellow, red and white so I suggest A book with yellow, red and white on the cover."
That way people can do one or all 3 (I always like the tougher challenge but some people will kick a fuss)
eta- Yellow books : https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Red books https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
I see lots of options for all 3. The bookstore on the corner has one window it always does one color and there's lots of options. I'll have to start paying attention,
Mod
LOL-- the years merge together!
I seconded it. I would vote for it every year, there's so many choices!
Rachel = I saw it listed under Feng Shui and the Year of the Water Tiger. So I guess it's related to Chinese Astrology?
Mod
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I prefer the "first heard of on Goodreads" option. Like others, I don't pay attention to Goodreads recommendations. Goodreads often comes out with Discover lists throughout the year and I'd probably choose a book from one of those lists if this prompt gets in.