[2023] Poll 10 Voting

[Nancy]

I think someone added "lizard, Spock" as a nod to The Big Bang Theory.

[dalex]

Pam wrote: "Hope punk, which I’m still trying to understand, is a genre possibility."

Hopepunk is sci-fi or fantasy that is positive and hopeful. The term was created in 2017 by author Alexander Rowland as the opposite of grimdark, which is sci-fi or fantasy that is bleak and grim. Because it is a relatively new subgenre it doesn't get a lot of use in the publishing world but it's definitely a type of book that you will recognize when you read it.

“The opposite of grimdark is hopepunk,” declared Alexandra Rowland, a Massachusetts writer, in a two-sentence Tumblr post in July 2017. “Pass it on.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopepunk

https://www.vox.com/2018/12/27/181375...

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

dalex wrote: "Pam wrote: "Hope punk, which I’m still trying to understand, is a genre possibility."

Hopepunk is sci-fi or fantasy that is positive and hopeful. The term was created in 2017 by author Alexander R..."

And there are many books on the list published before 2017, so it's not only recent books. As I keep saying. Anne of Green Gables is considered hopepunk!

[Edie]

Pam wrote: "Just a few more thoughts:
-Am author who was imprisoned because of his work - Daniel DeFoe (Robinson Crusoe)
- book you don’t normally read- I like the cookbook idea. I also have some yoga and hea..."

For those who don't like to read non-fiction, I might suggest one of Malcolm Gladwell's books.... Blink, Outliers/. Each chapter features a different example, story that illustrates his thesis. I find them very readable and interesting.

[Edie]

Jillian wrote: "Tracy wrote: "@Jillian - Have fun with the pup!"

Thank you!


Alicia wrote: "How exciting Jillian! What’s its name? Are they potty trained?"

We renamed him Sherlock. He is not potty trained but h..."

Sherlock! What a good name.

[NancyJ]

I think Rock Paper Scissors works better as a cover prompt, especially will all the examples. Great idea.

[Nancy]

Nadine in NY wrote: "I thought of her. But she was exiled because of her uncle and politics, not because of her work, so the way this prompt is written, she wouldn't qualify. (But I might read something by her anyway if this prompt wins.)
"

Forgot to reply to this. I guess it depends on your definition of "work." The prompt is not published work, or related to their writings as an author. She was added to the Chilean government's wanted list and had death threats for helping others on the wanted list escape. I would consider that being exiled because of her work.

[Alicia]

@Jillian, that’s a great name! It definitely helps that he’s older and has another dog to show him the ropes. When I got my dog she was 2 months and she just loves peeing. It was a mess.

[dalex]

Pamela wrote: "As I keep saying. Anne of Green Gables is considered hopepunk!"

Actually, no, because hopepunk is sci-fi and fantasy. You might be able to call it uplit, though. Uplit is basically the literary/historical fiction version of hopepunk.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Nancy wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "I thought of her. But she was exiled because of her uncle and politics, not because of her work, so the way this prompt is written, she wouldn't qualify. (But I might read some..."

So Isabel Allende who was exiled because of her family would not count

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

dalex wrote: "Pamela wrote: "As I keep saying. Anne of Green Gables is considered hopepunk!"

Actually, no, because hopepunk is sci-fi and fantasy. You might be able to call it uplit, though. Uplit is basically ..."

It was on a hopepunk list! If it's really only sci-fi, I would not vote for it. I don't like scifi so finding a book for a sci fi prompt is tough enough without more difficult parameters. Whatever hopepunk list someone posted had way more than scifi on it- I voted for the prompt based on the list

[Ellie]

The prompt was hopepunk or hope so there wasn't any requirement to read the hopepunk genre for it anyway. I don't think any random hopeful book is hopepunk. Like how is Anne of Green Gables punk?! Goodreads lists always have things that don't fit on them.

[dalex]

Pamela wrote: "It was on a hopepunk list!"

If you read the wikipedia article, or anything else you can find by googling, hopepunk is sci-fi and fantasy. I think at least 80% of books on goodreads lists are wrong (with the possible exception of ATY created lists).

[Nancy]

Pamela wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "I thought of her. But she was exiled because of her uncle and politics, not because of her work, so the way this prompt is written, she wouldn't qualify. (But I m..."

Her own work helping those on the wanted list escape doesn't count?

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

I would definitely count Allende. She couldn't go back to Chile and she wrote plenty about the issues caused by the regime. But it's up to each of you how you interpret the prompt.

[Juliet]

I agree that we all get to interpret prompts for ourselves, I personally wouldn’t count Allende because it feels to me as if her actual exile had more to do with who her family was than her own actions or writing (which she actually started doing while in exile) but I can also see Robin’s reasoning and both are valid

[Joy D]

I think if people read Allende's non-fiction about her daughter, they will want to count her on the persecuted list. She had been on in journalism, radio, and television, which put her in danger (in addition to her father being the first cousin of Salvador Allende).

I recently found this out by reading her book: Paula

[Amy (Other Amy)]

The House of the Spirits was banned by Pinochet. I feel like banning someone's book counts as persecution of the author. I know the prompt was focused on the author because of the attack on Salmon Rushdie (who is probably who I will read for the prompt), but I very much do think actual book banning by the government should count. Wikipedia has a nice list:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

[Rachel]

I was very excited for this list when I first saw it, but somehow by the time I went to vote, it was much harder since most of the prompts were just in the middle for me.

I ended up voting for:
- Chess piece - along similar lines to the Monopoly and Clue piece suggestions we've had before, and has plenty of options
- Compassionate profession - loved this idea as soon as it was suggested
- Language/spoken word - I voted for this the last time it came up, and I actually like this wording a tiny bit better
- NPR list - Not a fan of list prompts, but I tend to like these lists and I like that it's not limited to a particular year
- On the Road - I have zero attachment to the song, but I have quite a few books on my TBR that involve characters travelling that I think could fit

My downvotes were:
- Persecuted/imprisoned author - interesting idea, but seems extremely difficult. I looked through the lists provided so far and didn't see anything I even recognized, let alone had an active interest in reading
- King Tut - too similar to the Egypt prompt we had not too long ago, and that one was already one of my downvotes at the time
- Well-known classic - I haven't been in the mood for classics in years now, and I'd rather pick one up because I really want to, not because it's "assigned"

[Irene]

@Ellie and Nancy, thanks, now I remember! Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock!

This is going to sound dumb, but would you count a book titled Rock Paper Scissors (that does not have rock/paper/scissors on the cover) for that prompt of rock-paper-scissors on the cover?


(I know I'm getting ahead of myself since we're still in voting, but I'm trying to figure out what my options would be for that prompt. I love cover prompts in general and will probably vote for it either way but it got me thinking!)

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Irene wrote: "@Ellie and Nancy, thanks, now I remember! Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock!

This is going to sound dumb, but would you count a book titled Rock Paper Scissors (that does not have rock/paper/sciss..."

Totally up to you, an example of "creative" application of the prompt.

[Ellie]

Irene wrote: "This is going to sound dumb, but would you count a book titled Rock Paper Scissors (that does not have rock/paper/scissors on the cover) for that prompt of rock-paper-scissors on the cover?..."

Well the words are on the cover, and I know using the words is a way to make cover prompts more accessible so I would never say you can't interpret it that way.

The UK edition has paper cutouts on the cover...so if you're flexible with editions you can make it work either way.

[Jillian]

I went ahead and voted 7 up and 1 down. I'm a bit unsure of the "compassionate profession or career" but decided to go ahead and up vote it. There were 3 others that I wanted to down vote but I'm hoping that they either don't get many up votes or other members down vote them.

[Alicia]

I did 4 up, 4 down. I didn’t vote either way on book you feel you should have read, but my first thought goes to a book on my physical shelf that has been there for a while. Which turns out to be a good chunk of books.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Alicia wrote: "I did 4 up, 4 down. I didn’t vote either way on book you feel you should have read, but my first thought goes to a book on my physical shelf that has been there for a while. Which turns out to be a..."

That's a good alternate way to think of this prompt, I have plenty of those!

[Judy]

I want to say thank you to the people who suggested and spoke up for the prompts on language and the threatened author. I upvoted both, along with classic books. I have been swimming against the tide, so I hope I'm not jinxing them.

[°~Amy~°]

Nancy wrote: "I think someone added "lizard, Spock" as a nod to The Big Bang Theory."

Yup, that was it and it added a few more options to the prompt but it was a no go in the voting. Ah well. The longer version wouldn't work all that great for a cover prompt so shortening was a good idea.

[Tracy]

I actually used “Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock” as my “prompt that didn’t make it this year”, and read “Rock Paper Scissors” for that. Not usually a thriller reader, but a fan of Rock Paper Scissors, the game (?). Years ago found the World Rock Paper Scissors Society. They used to have this cool graphic: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhUAdh41EsQ...

Right now their website is under construction, but until it’s back, even the Under Construction motion graphic is fun: http://www.worldrps.com

And randomly, because I always seem to have some synchronicity in my life, my husband just found out that TODAY, August 27, is World Rock Paper Scissors Day! https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world...

[Rae]

The classics prompt is interesting, but I'm not sure about the "well-known" part. I read classics regularly, but I wouldn't argue that most of them are well-known. E.g., my last 3 classic reads were



I'd rather a classic prompt that let a person choose something a little less well-known.

[Joy D]

I think the first two are well-known enough to count. I've read them both. Haven't heard of the last one but will check it out, thanks.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Rae wrote: "The classics prompt is interesting, but I'm not sure about the "well-known" part. I read classics regularly, but I wouldn't argue that most of them are well-known. E.g., my last 3 classic reads wer..."

The "well-known" tripped me up too, but then it's also an ill-defined word. If a book is considered a classic, it is by definition well-known at some point, so if it gets voted through, I'll just read any classic I want!

[NancyJ]

Rae wrote: "The classics prompt is interesting, but I'm not sure about the "well-known" part. I read classics regularly, but I wouldn't argue that most of them are well-known. E.g., my last 3 classic reads wer..."

I think they're all well-known enough. Passing is getting a lot of attention now, and the last two were very well known when I was younger. I read Daddy Long-Legs when I was a teenager. (Did you find it creepy or pervy? I didn't at the time, but I wonder if I would now.) I've seen a lot of reviews (from people in my groups) for Death Comes to the Archbishop, though it doesn't seem to be as well known as My Antonia.

I agree with Pamela's argument that if it's considered a classic, it's by definition well known (or was well known at some time). If nothing else, I hope the discussion will help to dispel the notion that classics are defined by what is/was taught in high schools.

[Rae]

NancyJ wrote: "Rae wrote: "I think they're all well-known enough. Passing is getting a lot of attention now, and the last two were very well known when I was younger. I read Daddy Long-Legs when I was a teenager. (Did you find it creepy or pervy? I didn't at the time, but I wonder if I would now.) I've seen a lot of reviews (from people in my groups) for Death Comes to the Archbishop, though it doesn't seem to be as well known as My Antonia."

I suppose I was thinking of a "Person on the street" test. Would a random person have ever heard of these books? But I do like your and Pamela's interpretation of the prompt.

Regarding Daddy Long Legs: I didn't find it pervy (view spoiler)[The relationship doesn't really begin until she's an adult and the romantic part comes after college graduation. One thing that did bother me was his machinations to remove her from environments where other suitors would be present, but since he was stowing her away at farms and not bringing her to him, that could have been a lot more coercive. My interpretation of the timeline was that he fell in love with her via her letters at college and not from the brief interaction at the orphanage, and she also stood her ground on a lot of things (like applying for a scholarship so she wouldn't be beholden to his generosity) and seemed genuinely delighted to become his spouse at the end. It was a different time when marriage often was "the best a woman could do" and they seemed like an okay match to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Laurel]

I agree with you, Rae.

Have you read the sequel, Dear Enemy Jean Webster? The protagonist is Sally McBride, one of Judy's roommates in college, who agrees to temporarily run the old orphanage for her friend and spars with the local doctor.

[dalex]

Pamela wrote: "If a book is considered a classic, it is by definition well-known at some point."

I think "classic" is defined more by its age than by its notoriety. For example, Virago Classics has many unfamiliar titles but their publication dates qualify them to be classics.

The aim of Virago (according to their website) "was, and is, to celebrate women writers, to demonstrate the existence of a canon of women’s writing and to redefine the often narrow idea of a ‘classic’."

Here is a list of the titles Virago has published.
https://www.virago.co.uk/imprint/lbbg...

[Martha]

dalex wrote: "Pamela wrote: "If a book is considered a classic, it is by definition well-known at some point."

I think "classic" is defined more by its age than by its notoriety. For example, Virago Classics ha..."

Thanks for that link, dalex!

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

dalex wrote: "Pamela wrote: "If a book is considered a classic, it is by definition well-known at some point."

I think "classic" is defined more by its age than by its notoriety. For example, Virago Classics ha..."

I just looked "classic" up in the dictionary "judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind." So any old book can't be a classic. Personally I also hate "modern classics" cause there's been no period of time. I used to belong to a classics bookgroup and for the 6 years I belonged, we read awesome books! After I moved away, new members started including "modern classics" and the group went down the drain.

[L Y N N]

Laurel wrote: "I agree with you, Rae.

Have you read the sequel, Dear Enemy Jean Webster? The protagonist is Sally McBride, one of Judy's roommates in college, who agrees to temporarily run the ol..."
I've read both of these books and enjoyed them. I agree the first kinda gave me a few creepy vibes, but I think that's just reading it NOW in this time period...

[Edie]

Pamela wrote: "dalex wrote: "Pamela wrote: "If a book is considered a classic, it is by definition well-known at some point."

I think "classic" is defined more by its age than by its notoriety. For example, Vira..."

The Classics Book Club I belong to is sponsored by Parnassus Books, a wonderful independent bookstore in Nashville. For our club, classics to have been written at least 50 years ago. Our current read is Baldwin's Go Tell It on the Mountain first published in 1953.

[NancyJ]

Edie wrote: "Pamela wrote: "dalex wrote: "Pamela wrote: "If a book is considered a classic, it is by definition well-known at some point."

I think "classic" is defined more by its age than by its notoriety. Fo..."

Is Parnassus the bookstore that Ann Patchett opened with a partner? I read about it in her memoir, which I actually liked better than some of her novels! This is the Story of a Happy Marriage - That's the title of one chapter. Most of the book is not about marriage at all.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Edie wrote: "Pamela wrote: "dalex wrote: "Pamela wrote: "If a book is considered a classic, it is by definition well-known at some point."

I think "classic" is defined more by its age than by its notoriety. Fo..."

We used 35 as our rule, since that is the mark I was taught in grad school for history.

[Joy D]

To me, a book must have a timeless quality or be very appreciated to be considered a classic. I don't think age is the sole qualifying factor. It needs to have "something" to recommend it to future generations. This "something" is not a specific thing - it can encompass a number of factors, but it needs to be enduring in some way. Many books will be long forgotten while others continue to be read over the years.

[Edie]

NancyJ wrote: "Edie wrote: "Pamela wrote: "dalex wrote: "Pamela wrote: "If a book is considered a classic, it is by definition well-known at some point."

I think "classic" is defined more by its age than by its ..."

Yes, Ann Patchett is the co-owner of Parnassus Books. If you liked her first essays, I highly recommend her latest collection, These Precious Days which I found particularly relevant at my stage of life.

[Tracy]

I’m reading These Precious Days right now for one of my IRL book groups. I’m only on the first part, but it’s good so far.

[Shannon SA]

Edie wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Edie wrote: "Pamela wrote: "dalex wrote: "Pamela wrote: "If a book is considered a classic, it is by definition well-known at some point."

I think "classic" is defined more by its a..."

I've added These Precious Days to my TBR, thank you for the recommendation :)