Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2023] Poll 3 Voting
I seconded #13 A book to which you don’t have instant access because I’m always waiting on books. Hardbacks, paperbacks, ebooks. Doesn’t matter. I would of finished the Read Harder challenge 2 months ago but I’m waiting on 2 hardbacks. I’m waiting now for my next ATY read which will be two weeks. I’ve learned to look ahead at prompts & see how far out the books are.
I think Juliet has a point, though. If you buy e-books, you always have instant access so the prompt would be difficult to fulfill. If you borrow from the library, you will sometimes have waiting lists, which can apply to physical books or ebooks or audios. For me this prompt would be the opposite - too easy, since I always have one or more books (or ebooks or audios) on hold.
It is hard to justify voting for the number of pages prompt if you use ebooks or audios since it implies you have a physical copy. As someone else has said, you can look it up, but you do not know if it corresponds to the version you are reading.
Yes, same for me, Joy. I always have books on hold.Prompts like this are also hard for planners, I plan my list ahead of time and I can't put anything in this spot. While I know my list will inevitably change, I don't like having an empty spot in the list.
I have to admit that I feel that we get enough politics in the news and real life. I prefer to read books that help me escape that; so, I will be downvoting the power/politics Prompt. For that same reason I most likely won't vote for the Nobel Peace Prize list although I am sure there are some amazing books in there.Definite upvotes for me:
7. A book with the sun, moon, or stars on the cover
14. A book that is inspired by or pays homage to another story
I am neutral on everything else...so I will have to think through how I am going to vote.
Juliet Brown wrote: "I have mixed feelings about #13 right now, I read the discussion so I know what the intent was, but just reading it without applying that context it feels like a dig at people who primarily use ebooks"My first thought was a new release from a favorite author. I will read the reviews from people who received an ARC book before it's released and than have to wait until it's released to the public.
I read almost exclusively library ebooks and I would say 50-70% of them are not immediately available due to waitlists so the instant access prompt is almost too easy for me as well. I like the upcoming release interpretation though. I would probably go that route if the prompt makes it.For those who don't like the politics prompt, I would definitely consider the 'power' aspect of the wording. That opens it up a whole lot more and doesn't need to include politics at all. I was thinking of using a book that explores power dynamics in a relationship.
There are 2 explanations missing from this post Dalex has supplied one for Number 14 and there is nothing for 15
Mod
I just had ice cream, so I might be in the good mood corner for a few minutes-- quick, time to vote!
I'm being swayed on the book without instant access to upvote it. There has been one prompt this year that I experienced going with another book because of waiting for it to be available. I'm guessing it could cover books you have had to wait to be published / published in a format you read.
Mod
What about books that aren't released yet? I have 4 books pre-ordered on Audible/Amazon, one of which isn't out until January 10-- with a bunny on the cover!
eta-- I'm a library used and my hold lists between 6 libraries are a thing of beauty. But to keep this prompt tough, I would do a book I have to wait for it to be released. Even if that release date is Jan 10
Mod
If there is nothing in the suggestions thread for the prompt, then I don't have anything to copy over. People are free to add to the examples and lists in the voting thread, but I can't continuously update the second post to reflect all of the suggestions and ideas in this thread as well! So if you see a prompt missing, it's likely because the suggester or seconder in the suggestions thread didn't include anything with their prompt.
This is why I encourage everyone to add links and ideas when they are suggesting the prompt!
Mod
I'm not voting for or against the politics prompt, but for me, if the selling it means expanding it too much makes it too wide a prompt for me. It could be argued every book has some sort of power dynamic.
Deborah wrote: "I have to admit that I feel that we get enough politics in the news and real life. I prefer to read books that help me escape that; so, I will be downvoting the power/politics Prompt. For that same..."The Nobel Prize for Literature is different from the Peace Prize. Those who have received the literature prize are authors of fiction. Some novels have political content, but most do not.
Regarding reading a book not released yet for the instant access prompt I did consider it but then I thought we already have released 2023 and it felt like a replication
The published in prompt is usually later in the year, for those that read in order. This year it's week 51! So you could still do a book published in 2023 that you are waiting for.I ended up going 4 up, 4 down. The results will be interesting.
What I mean Nancy is that if the only way to instant access is to read a book published next year that would effectively be the same prompt twice
Sorry on app so can’t reply directly, so , without considering context I’m primarily an ebook reader who also uses Kindle Unlimited and project Gutenberg do most books I want I do get instantly, even a release I’m anticipating ´instantly ‘ downloads to my kindle on release date. I understand that the INTENT of the prompt is to cover any form of waiting for a book, but the wording feels more combative re ‘you get the book you want at 3 in the morning ‘ vs ‘I read print and have to wait for mail or a trip to the bookstore ‘ to me
If someone has a better idea about where to put this, please let me know... Maybe somewhere in the general group info?Do you all know about the Library Extension that you can add to your browser toolbar? It works on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge (sorry Safari!). When you are in Goodreads or any book buying website, and have a page open about a particular book, the Library Extension tells you if the books is a) owned by your library (in setup you indicate any libraries you have access to, including Hoopla), b) what formats they own and how many copies, and c) if any of the copies are available.
So helpful, instead of looking up each of those resources separately! I've only had one time that it said the library didn't have the book when they really did, so maybe the new info hadn't been update yet (?).
Here is a link to get going if you don't already have it. https://www.libraryextension.com/
Library Extension is the bomb for print books, however, I like Available Reads better as a mostly digital media consumer.
Thomas wrote: "What I mean Nancy is that if the only way to instant access is to read a book published next year that would effectively be the same prompt twice"I agree with Thomas about the instant access prompt effectively being the same as the published in 2023 prompt for those of us who don't really borrow library ebooks. Since I'm reading books I already own, I have "instant access" regardless of if it's been sitting on my shelf for years. So the only thing that would work is a book I'm waiting to come out, which would have to be released in 2023. Any suggestions on how to differentiate the prompts more?
I will say though that to me, it doesn't come off as a dig at people who read ebooks. Lots of people buy their physical books at their local indie and have instant access.
I agree with Irene about not being a dig. Anyone can miss a particular implication of a prompt perfectly innocently
Nancy wrote: "Library Extension is the bomb for print books, however, I like Available Reads better as a mostly digital media consumer."I have no problem checking ebooks on Library Extension, but maybe it depends on your library? Can't wait to try Available Reads to see if I get better results than I do now.
Chrissy wrote: "Great Circle and Migrations are both great books, and perfect fits for a female explorer/traveller! Hopefully I can find something like that again."Great Circle was my favorite book of 2021, and I agree it's perfect for this. I read Euphoria as part of the "three different continents" prompt this year, loved it also, and it would totally fit this prompt.
I missed a lot of the discussion yesterday, but depending on how you interpret it, I think the Gallant series could work, as well as The Book of Two Ways.
Lindsey wrote: "Chrissy wrote: "Great Circle and Migrations are both great books, and perfect fits for a female explorer/traveller! Hopefully I can find something like that again."..."
I read and liked most of these books. I didn't think of them as books about female explorers but I guess they do fit. I think my view of explorers was too narrow.
Lindsey wrote: "Chrissy wrote: "Great Circle and Migrations are both great books, and perfect fits for a female explorer/traveller! Hopefully I can find something like that again."..."
I have Great Circle and Migrations on my TBR, and read
(Euphoria) a few years ago (great!). That one could be used if we had a "beautiful cover prompt" as well :)All this made me remember a book I finished recently and enjoyed — Ann Patchett's State of Wonder. I hope this prompt makes it — so many good options.
Tracy wrote: "I have no problem checking ebooks on Library Extension, but maybe it depends on your library? Can't wait to try Available Reads to see if I get better results than I do now"Library Extension works perfectly fine, I just like the user experience of Available Reads better. I do like that Library Extension tells you the estimated wait time.
I use both, TBH.
I appear to be much more positive than most people this week for a change. I upvoted 6 - Hollywood, name in title, sun/stars/etc on cover, inspired by another story, politics and career/hobby. There's a few more (pride, 500k+ ratings) that I liked and would have happily voted for if I had more space.My downvotes were page numbers (I always find this such an arbitrary prompt) and related to an idiom (I have no idea what I would pick). I also would have downvoted the book you had to wait for prompt if I had more votes, since it feels like either an absolute freebie (if you're like me and always have library holds) or really difficult if you're a mood reader who just picks up books when you want them.
Emily wrote: "Jill wrote: "There are 2 explanations missing from this post Dalex has supplied one for Number 14 and there is nothing for 15"If there is nothing in the suggestions thread for the prompt, then I ..."
Sorry I wasn't suggesting it was your fault. I thought the person who put it forward might want to elaborate on the subject and make some suggestions.
Jill wrote: "Sorry I wasn't suggesting it was your fault. I thought the person who put it forward might want to elaborate on the subject and make some suggestions."There were a whole range of suggestions in the wild discussion thread, including retellings/reimaginings (e.g. fairytale retellings, retellings of classics like Pride & Prejudice or Shakespeare), homages (so books written to mimic or reference a particular other book), etc.
I think this list is a good place to start for recent books https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...
Well, after 2 polls where I basically liked all the prompts, I'm a lot less positive about this bunch. I mostly only use downvotes for prompts I absolutely don't want on the list, and I use the rest for upvotes, even if I'm not super excited about anything, but this time, I had 4 I really didn't like. But I'll start with the positive first.Upvotes:
Pride - I just love this one and if I really hope it makes it on.
Hollywood - I read a lot of entertainment nonfiction and I also love the recent trope of behind the scenes on a reality show, so voting for this was a no-brainer.
Idiom - I just liked it.
Pays homage - I like a good retelling.
Downvotes:
Nobel - This is essentially a list prompt, and I pretty much always downvote list prompts, with a few exceptions.
500,000 ratings - Popsugar had a million plus ratings prompt a couple of years ago and I struggled with it so much, I just reacted so negatively to this on first sight. Now that I've thought about it, I realise 500K isn't as horrible, but I already voted.
2 word title - I really struggled with this one the last time we had it and I ended up hating the book, so I don't want it again.
Page count - It's a silly way to pick out a book.
Mod
I will say, unlike others, I voted for the page count prompt for the same reason other people voted against it- it is such a random reason but there also will not be thousands of choices, so I think it'll give me a couple choices from my TBR list that I might not have chosen otherwise. Those are always my favorite prompts, the ones that I have to look for but that I do have on my list as wanting to read just never enough to make it on the top of the pile (as opposed to "I want to read this book now, where does it fit")
If the political suggestion gets in, I see Small Things Like These has won the Orwell prize (politcal prize for fiction). I haven't read it, but it's a short book and looks interesting.My Fourth Time, We Drowned: Seeking Refuge on the World’s Deadliest Migration Route won the non-fiction prize.
4 up, 4 down for me.Ups:
Politics & power - I haven't read a good political satire or thriller in awhile so that would be a good push to do so
Idiom - I suggested it so I should probably like it :)
2 and 3 in page count - I like these kinds of prompts since it makes me look at my TBR in a different way
Pays homage to another story - I find referential literature interesting.
Downs:
Pride - A little too vague for me; I think it'll be tough to find one for for me.
2 words including "The" - we did that a couple of years ago
Full name in title - Ditto
Female explorer - I think I've exhausted the most common suggestions for this prompt (Great Circle, Migrations, etc.)
@Shannon - thanks for the interesting looking books for the potential Politics prompt. Both look fascinating.
Kahlia wrote: "Jill wrote: "Sorry I wasn't suggesting it was your fault. I thought the person who put it forward might want to elaborate on the subject and make some suggestions."There were a whole range of sug..."
My post was not about retellings it was about the explanation of the idioms prompt, I thought maybe the person who suggested it may have put forward some suggestions. I just didn't want Emily to think that I was criticising the mods
I ended up voting this way:UP:
2) pride
5) power/politics
6) career/hobby
9) Nobel author (I know, surprised me too)
10) female/non-binary explorer/traveler
14) homage/retelling
DOWN:
1) Hollywood (just not interested in the theme)
2) idiom (liked the concept, just not sure how easy it would be to fulfill)
Another way to interpret the female traveler prompt is time travel. This can cover almost all genres, from historical romance (Outlander) to contemporary romance (In Five Years) to contemporary fiction (Oona Out of Order) to alternate history (Kindred) to sci-fi (Recursion).
@dalex - good idea. I love time travel/time warp stories, as evident by the fact that I’ve read 3 (or maybe 4?) of those 5 books.
dalex, that is a great idea and one I will use if the prompt gets voted in.
I like the non binary traveler or explorer but can not find many books that are not YA. Does someone else have books to recommend for this prompt?I voted for it, and will use a female if I can not find non-binary, but would prefer not to.
For the not instant access suggestion, it may difficult to get a book because of where you live. It may not be available as an ebook either if you live in certain countries. Another way to look at it is lack of funds. If your library does not have it and you can not afford to purchase the book in any form.
There are quite a few non-fictions about female travelers/explorers. I can suggest if anyone is interested, but I know lots of people prefer fiction.
Juliet Brown wrote: "I have mixed feelings about #13 right now, I read the discussion so I know what the intent was, but just reading it without applying that context it feels like a dig at people who primarily use ebooks"No dig was intended…quite the opposite. I made the suggestion because I read primarily ebooks and often have to juggle delivery dates to manage my list or waited months for a book that I was highly interested. I also held off a book so that I could read it on the beach. Some people might view it as a freebie, but access is a reality for those of us that don’t have the means or desire to buy books just to participate in the challenge. My local library has its entire collection in one room, so online I go. 💫
Mod
That’s fine for people who use libraries but some of us don’t
For a different take on the power and politics prompt, there are a lot of fantasy and sci-fi books that would fit this prompt such as The Curse of Chalion, The Cruel Prince, the Game of Thrones series, The Handmaid's Tale, and Dune. Even though this one seemed like it’s not my thing, I upvoted it because I think I can find something good.I also really like the explorer prompt. I recommend Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail. It’s not as well know as Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail but I enjoyed that one a lot more. If that one gets in I plan to read The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
Juliet Brown wrote: "I have mixed feelings about #13 right now, I read the discussion so I know what the intent was, but just reading it without applying that context it feels like a dig at people who primarily use ebooks"I wouldn't take it that way at all. I've been waiting nearly a year for the third book in the Beartown series by Fredrik Backman. It was published in Sweden in 2021 but the English translation won't be out until late 2022. Every year there are a few new releases that I get really excited about, but I have to wait 3-6 months for the release date. The new Taylor Jenkins Reid book is coming out soon, and I've been waiting since the beginning of the year.
Shannon wrote: "If the political suggestion gets in, I see Small Things Like These has won the Orwell prize (politcal prize for fiction). I haven't read it, but it's a short book and looks interest..."These both sound powerful. I added them to my TBR. Thanks!
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
A Closed and Common Orbit (other topics)The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (other topics)
The Oil Factor: Protect Yourself and Profit from the Coming EnergyCrisis (other topics)
The Curse of Chalion (other topics)
Small Things Like These (other topics)
More...
This is me. It's rare for me to get a book then read it immediately, so I'm not really sure if it counts as waiting or instant because when I am ready to read it I have it ready. Some of my TBR books have been waiting for me for a decade...