[2023] Poll 2 Voting

[Ellie]

Also I thought you were talking about Adam Rutherford for a minute, who is a geneticist and author. I was surprised he had written novels, haha. But it's a different Rutherford!

[NancyJ]

Martha wrote: "Regarding the prompt related to I Have a Dream, if this prompt gets in I will likely choose a book based on a theme of not giving up on the future (fall of democracy, climate crises, etc) with the ..."

Martha, thanks for posting these great links. They both work for Hope, but the second one has many books that could relate to MLK I have a dream speech. I need a book recommended by TED talks, and these definitely fit my tastes. I have many of the same concerns that you have.

[Samantha]

Ann wrote: "What if you really, really, really despise science fiction and fantasy? I guess it could be where you use your wild card. Or what about reading a book with the word fantasy or science in the title...."

I have used a short graphic novel that has cool pictures because at least the art work is fun. A children's picture book could also work in the same way.

[Michelle]

I suggested the dream/dreaming prompt due to the anniversary of MLK’s speech. I have never participated in this process before and was not positive on the best way to word the prompt. I didn’t know if making the prompt a book related to the speech was too difficult or too limiting, so I went with something that I felt was more general and could have more interpretations.

I am enjoying reading the discussion comments and seeing opinions on how it could be rephrased, etc. This is a learning process for me and I am enjoying seeing everyone’s thoughts.

If it does not go through this time I would love for someone to help reword it if people are still interested in it.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and lists!

[NancyJ]

Ann wrote: "What if you really, really, really despise science fiction and fantasy? I guess it could be where you use your wild card. Or what about reading a book with the word fantasy or science in the title...."

Light fantasies would count, such as magical realism, cultural mythologies, Mexican or South American magical realism, some YA/Middle grades books. The books you read for the mythology and Latin American prompts would work. Books about witches who uses herbs to help people would also be shelved as fantasies.

If you like historical fiction, there are many that use time-travel as a device to get the MC to another time. They get shelved as fantasy just for that one aspect of the story. I really loved What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon. It's a gorgeous book with excellent research on the fight for Irish independence.

[NancyJ]

dalex wrote: "Ann wrote: "What if you really, really, really despise science fiction and fantasy?"

Sci-fi and fantasy have hundreds of subgenres so I am quite certain you can find something you would like.

For..."

Dalex, this is an excellent reply. You listed some of my favorite books and authors too. I never think of Migrations as sci-fi, but it fits. Outlander seems to have inspired a lot of historical fiction/romance books with a bit of time travel to make them fit sff.

Sarah Addison Allen has a new book coming out. I've been reading a lot of Margaret Atwood and Alice Hoffman this year too for an author challenge.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

NancyJ wrote: "Sarah Addison Allen has a new book coming out. I've been reading a lot of Margaret Atwood and Alice Hoffman this year too for an author challenge.


She does?? Best news! She kinda stopped writing and then I heard she had breast cancer--- so happy to know she's ok and has another book coming out! I discovered her in 2020 and tore through all her books in a month.... off to preorder!

And it's a bird book! Other Birds

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Edie wrote: "Emily wrote: "IDEAS AND NOTES FROM THE SUGGESTIONS THREAD

1. A book set in a location that begins with A, T, or Y
This could be fiction or non-fiction city, state, province, region, place name, en..."

Hey Edie! There were no links or notes attached to #8, so it was not included here (unless I missed them, which I'm known to do). Feel free to add links and suggestions to the discussion if you have them!

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Ohhhhh I loveeee Sarah Addison Allen as well! So excited to see a new book by her!

[NancyJ]

dalex wrote: "Here is a lengthy post I wrote when the rabbit post came up for voting last year: A few books with "rabbit" in the title.
..."

Ellie wrote: "I added a bunch to this list, rather than creating..."

Thank you both. I really enjoyed Constant Rabbit and I'll be looking for more by that author.

If Birds Bees and Bunnies doesn't get in now, I know Ellie will suggest Rabbits sometime this summer. I really want a nature prompt this year, but I prefer having both fiction and non-fiction options. I really like the birds books I found and I doubt that will get in by itself.

[Ellie]

NancyJ wrote: "I really enjoyed Constant Rabbit and I'll be looking for more by that author..."

Oh now's a good time to read Shades of Grey because the sequel is finally due next year. It's about a society divided by how many colours you can see, the greys being the lowest class.

[Nancy]

I am also beyond excited for a new SAA and plan to read that one this year! I like that it's birds, bees, or bunnies, as I can definitely find something among those.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Nancy wrote: "I am also beyond excited for a new SAA and plan to read that one this year! I like that it's birds, bees, or bunnies, as I can definitely find something among those."

I just joined Netgallery hoping I can get it early!

[Joy D]

Just to correct a common misconception, we actually have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). Just in case you ever need it for a trivia quiz.

I quite like the list of ideas for this round and may upvote more than down this time. I can see why specific genres can be challenging for some, though.

[Alicia]

Ok not to be crude, but all I keep thinking about with birds, bees and bunnies is sex 🤦🏽‍♀️. Is it just me? I think I’d read a romance

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Haha Alicia! That *was* suggested as a way to interpret the prompt.

[Juliet]

NancyJ wrote: "Thank you both. I really enjoyed Constant Rabbit and I'll be looking for more by that author.."

His Thursday Next series will work for the 'Books are important' prompt

[Tracy]

@Joy - thanks for the correction. You are absolutely right, 23 PAIRS of chromosomes. Don’t tell my brother-in-law, the genetic scientist, that I said that!

[NancyJ]

Alicia wrote: "Ok not to be crude, but all I keep thinking about with birds, bees and bunnies is sex 🤦🏽‍♀️. Is it just me? I think I’d read a romance"

LOL. The first time I put the words together it clicked. But no one said anything. I was surprised because I know you all must be a lot younger than I am. (I turned 64 today.) So thank you Alicia! Yes, a romance would fit, and if it has birds or bunnies on the cover, so much the better.


The Constant Rabbit by Jasper Fjord is a funny, sexy romantic fantasy adventure. It also has an "ism"


Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen is tagged romance and has birds on the cover. It's also a light fantasy by a female author with 3 names. I love finding books that fit multiple prompts.

[Kathy]

Happy birthday, NancyJ!

[Traci]

I was hoping my TBR in the next year list would narrow down the author/title prompts. Alas, it did not as they are all represented in those ~60 books.

[NancyJ]

Ellie wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I really enjoyed Constant Rabbit and I'll be looking for more by that author..."

Oh now's a good time to read Shades of Grey because the sequel is finally due next ye..."

Thanks Ellie. I was confused by the title for a moment, given another conversation. (LOL - never mind) I saw that he also has a series that fits books about books.

[NancyJ]

Kathy wrote: "Happy birthday, NancyJ!"

Thanks Kathy!

[NancyJ]

Juliet Brown wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Thank you both. I really enjoyed Constant Rabbit and I'll be looking for more by that author.."

His Thursday Next series will work for the 'Books are important' prompt"

Thanks have you read it?

[Juliet]

Only the first one, I honestly didn’t like the MC very much, but that’s me and the story was good

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Voting is open!

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FPPKF6/

[Perri]

I put all eight vote on bunnies. Just kidding. Six up two down, that's unusual for me. I really like this bunch!

[Thomas]

My only downvote was non fiction nature. I respect all of you but as people are putting the downer on Rory Gilmore I would like to give the alternative viewpoint. i do not see it as Popculture ehavy by any means, it has a range of books from classics till books publsihed as it aired. Yes there will be nothing since 2007 but given how many prompts we often egt favour new releases it seems fair enough to have some older books as well.

[Kate]

Another round of no downvotes for me! I liked a lot of the prompts.

[Nancy]

I agree Thomas. I would like a classics prompt that's not just "read a classic," and either the RG Challenge or the Gutenberg fills that nicely. Both also have options other than classics.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

*Note: We have had a few people using more than 8 votes total in their voting. Because their profiles are private, I am not able to message them. I have friend requested anyone who has had this issue, so please check your friend requests/accept my request so that I can let you know that you overvoted and you will need to vote again!

[Bec]

NancyJ wrote:
His Thursday Next series will work for the 'Books are important..."

Thanks have you read it?


I really enjoyed the Thursday Next series...Didn't realise there was The Constant Rabbit - I've put it on my TBR!

[Bec]

Thomas wrote: "My only downvote was non fiction nature. I respect all of you but as people are putting the downer on Rory Gilmore I would like to give the alternative viewpoint. i do not see it as Popculture ehav..."

I agree with the non fiction nature. I really really dislike non fiction (I read enough of that for work) so to then restrict it to nature makes it even harder for me.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Bec wrote: "I agree with the non fiction nature. I really really dislike non fiction (I read enough of that for work) so to then restrict it to nature makes it even harder for me..."

I don't mind nonfiction- I read it for work and fun but nature, not. I'm reading a nonfiction nature book for the Earth Day prompt and omg, he keeps going on about birds! Enough already!

[Rachel]

Ann wrote: "What if you really, really, really despise science fiction and fantasy? I guess it could be where you use your wild card. Or what about reading a book with the word fantasy or science in the title...."

What I usually do when I'm really not into a prompt at all (ie. a Western) is try to find an option that makes it at least palatable. Sometimes I might try to pick something to "get it over with" quickly, like a children's book or graphic novel, or go for an audiobook so I can at least do other things while listening. I don't like to use my wild cards, so at least this way I can still feel like I've been true to the prompt without bogging myself down for too long with something I'm not into at all. Of course, that's only if I can't find a single other option that I think might interest me.

[Tracy]

Ellie wrote: "@Tracy I didn't want to be negative in the first poll and wasn't really expecting it to be submitted immediately. I mentioned it in the wild discussion as did someone else but I guess that got miss..."

Thanks Ellie, for being concerned about being negative. I always welcome constructive criticism though. And yes, I suppose 'traits' could fall under 'genealogy', but I think there is a lot more there also. I was just trying to give several examples to cover the scope of my intent. However it ends up being worded (assuming it gets voted in) you can of course interpret it as focused or as widely has you are comfortable with.

[Tracy]

Ellie wrote: "Also I thought you were talking about Adam Rutherford for a minute, who is a geneticist and author. I was surprised he had written novels, haha. But it's a different Rutherford!"
Happy to hear that there is another author writing about genetics (well, that's not exactly what Edward is writing about, but it is used) to choose from!

[Joan]

Rachel wrote: "Ann wrote: "What if you really, really, really despise science fiction and fantasy? I guess it could be where you use your wild card. Or what about reading a book with the word fantasy or science i..."


Rachel - that's what I do. If I don't like a prompt I pick a children's book or graphic novel. Great minds think alike!

[Joan]

I had 4 upvotes and 4 downvotes. There were a lot of them I liked but didn't vote for because I wouldn't mind if they got through but I wasn't passionate about them.

I actually really liked the Rory Gilmore list. It had a lot of options and a lot of books that I want to read.

I'm surprised I didn't like the alliterative prompt. I checked my books and not many fell on the list.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

On children's books - Ken Jennings, the Jeopardy champion, said that to increase his knowledge of science, history, etc., he would read books designed for school-age children. They had the basic info he would need for the show without bogging him down in extra details, or taking up too much time.

I am not thrilled about nonfiction nature - one month my book club chose Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and I could not get past about page 30. It seemed like I had been reading for hours and it was only about a tree. On the other hand, I loved Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. It turned out to have native legends and the writer's personal story linked to the natural world. I recommend that one if we end up with a similar prompt.

[Jillian]

I’m struggling to decide about how to vote on the Rory Gilmore prompt. I don’t care for list prompts but this one has a few books I’d like to read and is much better than the lists with just 100 books. That being said I’m not I really want to read any of the books next year. So, I still need to think if I want to up vote, down vote or leave it neutral.

edit: I decided to remain neutral on it.

[Jillian]

I finally narrowed down my votes with 6 up votes and 2 down votes.

Here are my top ones:
1. A book set in a location that begins with A, T, or Y (This prompt is a good mixture of not being too hard or easy. An added bonus is that this will also work for fictional places).

2. A book connected to birds, bees, or bunnies ( Maybe this will be the year).

4. A science fiction or fantasy novel written by a woman (Fantasy is my favorite genre so it was an easy up vote).

5. A book with a cat in the story, title or cover (This was a last minute switch from neutral to an up vote. We adopted our cats 11 years ago today so it seemed like a good sign).

8. A book with a color in the title or author’s name ( Recently my favorite author gave this book 5* The White Hare (which would also work for bird, bees and bunnies) and I have up voted an author with a color name in the past.

12. A book by an author with three names printed on the cover [I don't remember the updated wording of the prompt](I like this as an author prompt).

[Rachel]

I voted for:
- A, T or Y setting - I don't usually care for picking books based on geography, but I think this is an interesting spin on our ATY theme
- Title starting with W - no idea why, but this one kept pulling me
- "ism" - immediately jumped out to me as one of the most interesting
- sci fi or fantasy by a woman - not hard for me at all, but fits very well with things I'm interested in reading

I downvoted:
- Birds, bees and bunnies - sorry to be a downer, but I'm pretty over the bunny suggestion in general. It's been years now of it being suggested and it hasn't gotten in, so I'd much rather see something new. Even adding the extra animals didn't really revitalize it for me
- Cats - I had this prompt on a challenge last year and it was tough to find something
- Rory Gilmore - I don't hate it, but when going through the list, the only books I really wanted to read from it would be rereads and I'd rather have a prompt that steers me toward something new
- Nonfiction nature book - I'm not so into books that heavily focus on nature/climate. I can find something for sure if needed, but it's something I'm not actively interested in

[NancyJ]

Pamela wrote: "Bec wrote: "I agree with the non fiction nature. I really really dislike non fiction (I read enough of that for work) so to then restrict it to nature makes it even harder for me..."

I don't mind ..."

I read quite a few nature/environment books this year, both fiction and non-fiction. I think I learned just as much from the fiction books, and they were fun to read. History is another topic that I prefer to learn from fiction when I can.

[Joy D]

NancyJ wrote: "I read quite a few nature/environment books this year, both fiction and non-fiction. I think I learned just as much from the fiction books, and they were fun to read. History is another topic that I prefer to learn from fiction when I can.."..."

Learning history from fiction is only as good as the author's adherence to it, though. I read lots of non-fiction history and many contemporary authors do not do their research or they just don't care about accuracy. It spreads a lot of mis-information.
(One example: Thomas Jefferson's daughter never gave dinners in Washington when he was President - this is widely accepted as "fact" due to a book whose name and author I won't mention. It makes a good story, but it's not true.)

I like non-fiction nature writing but I can see why some don't. It might be too specific.

[NancyJ]

Joy D wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I read quite a few nature/environment books this year, both fiction and non-fiction. I think I learned just as much from the fiction books, and they were fun to read. History is anot..."

I'm leery of bio-fiction for that reason (there is no attempt to get it right), but I like most historical fiction. Did you ever read anything by Cokie Roberts? Ladies of Liberty was good, though I'm not sure I made it all the way through. (I read it 10 years ago.)

For nature non-fiction, I really liked The Hidden life of Trees, and The Sixth Extinction, but I haven't gotten back to Kolbert's latest book.

[NancyJ]

I plan to upvote ATY setting, Birds&Bees, SFF female author, ISMs, and Genetics.

Others I like:
Title starting w W - lots of good choices.
Dreams - If it doesn't make it, two of the lists would be great for a "Hope" prompt.
Author with 3 names - I have two favorite authors with new books coming out this summer/fall.
Nature non-fiction -I have Braiding with Sweetgrass and a book by Elizabeth Kolbert.
The Rory Gilbert list has some really good books, if I can get past the dated title.
Cats - I could read Traveling Cat Chronicles, but I have a lot more books with dogs than cats.
Goodreads recs - I have too many books on my tbr to get useful results now, but I found some good books in the past this way.

[Joy D]

NancyJ wrote: "I'm leery of bio-fiction for that reason (there is no attempt to get it right), but I like most historical fiction. Did you ever read anything by Cokie Roberts? Ladies of Liberty was good, though I'm not sure I made it all the way through. (I read it 10 years ago.)"
No, I have not read her.

I agree The Sixth Extinction is outstanding. Also Underland by Robert Macfarlane.

If by some chance non-fiction nature gets in, I have a number of suggestions.

[Edie]

NancyJ wrote: "dalex wrote: "Ann wrote: "What if you really, really, really despise science fiction and fantasy?"

Sci-fi and fantasy have hundreds of subgenres so I am quite certain you can find something you wo..."

What wonderful news. I have been waiting and waiting for another book by Sarah Addison Allen. If you haven't read her work, I highly recommend her books if the author using 3 names prompt gets in.

[dalex]

This Goodreads list has some excellent examples of speculative fiction that can be enjoyed by those that aren’t fans of sci-fi and fantasy.

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...