Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2024] Poll 1 Voting
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Tracy
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Jul 02, 2023 05:41AM
I suggested the pirate prompt. If it doesn’t make it this time I am totally fine with it being changed to just “X marks the spot” in a later round. I can see how more creative responses could come from that.
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Mandy wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Mandy wrote: " You can also interpret Terracotta Army by army.So military book or a book dealing with armies engaging in battles realistic or fantastical. Or even pottery since..."
Coincidentally, I was browsing on PBS streaming for something to watch last night and NOVA had a show on the Terracotta Army! I'm not sure if it would be available everywhere, but if you're interested in learning more or want some info that might lead to better book choices, it might be worth checking out! (1 thing I learned is that archeologists are scanning pictures of each soldier's ears to see if each statue is truly unique, so maybe a book with an ear on the cover??)
Jennifer W wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Mandy wrote: " You can also interpret Terracotta Army by army.So military book or a book dealing with armies engaging in battles realistic or fantastical. Or even..."
Maybe I can find something streaming. I like archeological specials.
Found emperors ghost army from 2014 nova. Watching
Mandy wrote: "Personally not into bl, but I can tell you grandmaster of demonic cultivation and the other three titles by the same author dominated The NY Times bestseller list. ..."what is "bl"?
I think BL refers to “Boys Love” books. I found this description online. "BL," the acronym for "Boys' Love" (also known as yaoi), is a genre consisting of male-male romance fictions created by women and for women in Japan. The genre originally consisted of manga (narrative comic stories) and illustrated novels, both commercial publications and self-published dōjinshi.
I'm actually not a Wilkie Collins fan, but I really like the idea of reading a book connected to him in some way. * You could, of course, read one of his books. (Probably would not be my choice LOL!)
* He was one of the grandmasters of the serial novel (everyone thinks of Dickens & Dumas, but I think Collins was even more popular in his time), so you could read any book that was originally published as a serial.
* You could read any book set in Victorian era (this opens up a huge number of historical romances and historical mysteries, for example).
* Collins was one of the first to write a "sensation novel" which is a mass market novel with suspense, gothic, and romance elements. You could read any sensation novel. Fingersmith is a modern homage to the sensation novel (and if you haven't read it, you should!)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensati...
* or you could interpret this quite broadly and read any gothic or crime novel, especially one with romance elements.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Personally not into bl, but I can tell you grandmaster of demonic cultivation and the other three titles by the same author dominated The NY Times bestseller list. ..."what is "bl"?"
Boy love
Here’s a link to a short article seven seas posted
I was mistaken three books not four.
https://sevenseasentertainment.com/20...
Upvotes:3. A book related to the year of the wood dragon - I have no idea what I'd read for this, but I love the creativity of it and am sure I could find something! Reminds me a bit of the Spice Girls prompt we had this year in terms of flexibility.
4. A book in honour of Wilkie Collins - I read a lot of detective novels, so this seems the perfect opportunity to slot another in!
5. A book related to night - Again, good for crime novels. And horror novels! And various other things that go bump in the night.
Downvotes:
2. A book with a horse on the cover - I just feel this would be a fiddly one to find!
6. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world - the city of culture prompt this year turned out to be one of the more complicated ones for me to find, and I'm a little worried about doing that again.
11. A book from the Canada Reads Book Lists - I'm not a huge fan of list prompts.
12. A book that takes place in 24 hours - I don't think I've read a book that takes place in 24 hours in the past few years! I think this one could be a bit too difficult to find.
14. A biography, autobiography, or memoir - just not one of my favourite genres!
Jennifer W wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Mandy wrote: " You can also interpret Terracotta Army by army.So military book or a book dealing with armies engaging in battles realistic or fantastical. Or even..."
Omg! The Crossbow was so freaking awesome! And the weapons in general! I kept thinking I would love to travel back in time to just take pictures of it in its heyday!
So many good prompts! I didn't have any downvotes.I always love prompts related to anniversaries and events during the year so I really hope to see Wilkie Collins, terracotta warriors and set in Paris make the final list.
Emily- I vote at 11:27 CST time as I once again couldn’t post by URL
Charles Dickens was a close friend and mentor to Wilkie Collins which opens up another direction.
I decided to be a little conservative with my votes this time and only chose 3 top votes: Raining Cats & Dogs, night, and number in the title. I wasn't going to include the number in the title but a quick skim of my TBR shelf on Goodreads showed me I had a ton of options including many that I'm excited to read, so it seemed like a good one.I downvoted: Wilkie Collins, horse on the cover, Paris (too limited), Canada Reads, and biography. Most of these are ones that I felt had very limited options that I'd be actively interested in reading. Of them, horse on the cover was the most questionable, but I knew it would be hard for me to find options so it was the least appealing of the remaining choices. I strongly considered downvoting pirates instead because I strongly prefer X Marks the Spot, but I think I'd be able to find something if it did get in.
Tracy wrote: "I suggested the pirate prompt. If it doesn’t make it this time I am totally fine with it being changed to just “X marks the spot” in a later round. I can see how more creative responses could come ..."I like the Pirates prompt very much. It’s an upvote for me.
Jennifer W wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Mandy wrote: " You can also interpret Terracotta Army by army.So military book or a book dealing with armies engaging in battles realistic or fantastical. Or even..."
I might vote for this now, Call me too literal, but if the discovery of the Terracotta Army is important enough to honor, I could try to read about it. If it’s on TV, it’s in books. A book about a modern army is a big stretch.
Judy wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Mandy wrote: " You can also interpret Terracotta Army by army.So military book or a book dealing with armies engaging in battles realistic or f..."
The nova show said they carried real weapons. The whole complex is way bigger. There are also musicians and acrobats. I there are also chariots and it only took 37 years. It surrounds the first emperor’s tomb mound like a city for the afterlife.
I vote 6 up/top and 2 down/bottom.Usually I just go with what sounds interesting or where I can at least FIND something interesting. This time I stuck with books already on my TBR to determine whether an interesting topic was a Go or No Go. It also had be be available at the library or Libby.
UpvotesA book involving pirates, maps, or treasure
A book related to the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Terra-cotta army
A biography, autobiography, or memoir
Downvotes
A book with a horse on the cover
A book in honour of Wilkie Collins
So excited that we are voting again. I liked most of the options this round and went with 6 upvotes. Raining cats a d dogs: I’m hoping for an atmospheric book with a lot of rain
Night: vampires 😊
Horse: no idea what I’m doing with it but I somehow I like it
Paris: I enjoy reading French classics. It feels like they are ALL set in Paris
Terracotta Army: I would be interested in finding a book set in Chinese pastimes
Dragon: books about dragons tend to be better in theory. Still looking for a gem
I struggled a bit with where to vote with this one but ended up with:Upvotes:
1. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" - no idea what I will do but I like it!
6. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world - Seems to be plenty of options
7. A book with girl, boy, man or woman in the title - Again, seems like I should be able to do this. I've enjoyed the books I've read like this before
8. A book related to the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Terracotta Army - originally I thought no thanks..but then realised it's a good chance to read a book I've had on my TBR for some time. It was recommended by a colleague and is by a Chinese author.
9. A book with a number in the title - I have at least 3 books on my TBR
I've put in my votes I had 5 up and 3 down. I checked my TBR before voting so I know I can fill the ones I upvoted. I upvoted horses on cover as I think this will be fun as I had several on my TBR that fit this. I also upvoted biography/autobiography/memoir as I've discovered I love reading (many of) these. I definitely have some good recommendations if a list gets made for this. I was neutral on pirates, maps or treasure but know I think about it lots of historical fiction and fantasy books have maps in them so I think this would be a good one to do. I was also neutral on Wilkie Collins although a detective/mystery book would be good too.
I thought this was a really good group of topics and gave a wide range of options.
QUESTION for those of you knowledgeable about the Terracotta Army (this isn't about books or the reading challenge): when I was at DisneyWorld / Epcot / China about ten years ago, they had a big room full of terracotta soldiers. I have always wondered: were they replicas? or did Disney actually acquire and display the real thing?
Mod
I'm shocked how much "to read" I have on the Canada Reads- whenever I open a nominated listopia and see that little green, it's a good sign! Although between when this was first mentioned in the Wild Discussion and now, I've read the book that made me go "ooo, if it wins I can finally read it." So many First Peoples books I took from the Tookie book list last year are on this list!
Nadine in NY wrote: "QUESTION for those of you knowledgeable about the Terracotta Army (this isn't about books or the reading challenge): when I was at DisneyWorld / Epcot / China about ten years ago, they had a big..."
Definitely replicas - very few of the soldiers have been removed from the area where they were found because they were buried so long that some of them have been damaged by exposure to air and light. I believe there are some in museum displays with proper temperature regulation etc.
Nadine in NY wrote: "QUESTION for those of you knowledgeable about the Terracotta Army (this isn't about books or the reading challenge): when I was at DisneyWorld / Epcot / China about ten years ago, they had a big..."
googled. every place i looked said they were replicas. on the nova episode i watched, a master potter was exploring how they created the warriors by making replicas.
Mandy wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "QUESTION for those of you knowledgeable about the Terracotta Army (this isn't about books or the reading challenge): when I was at DisneyWorld / Epcot / China about ten year..."
Aimee wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "QUESTION for those of you knowledgeable about the Terracotta Army (this isn't about books or the reading challenge):
when I was at DisneyWorld / Epcot / China about ten years..."
Thanks!!! I was shocked at the time that they would be able to display something so precious, but I was never able to find any info on whether they were replicas or original soldiers. They LOOKED legit, but Disney is good at that sort of thing.
I am glad we have discussion around the prompts I went from being mostly down votes to 6 up votes. I am going to lean into what seems easy so voted for: A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs", A book related to the year of the wood dragon, A book in honour of Wilkie Collins, A book related to night, A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world and A book with a number in the title.I think the only one that really scares me is the 24 hour one. It seems like such a perfect fit for next year but feel like it could be difficult to figure this out prior to reading a book. I also struggled with finding something to fit the Horse prompt - if it makes it through I might look for a the knight chess piece on the cover.
I actually changed the 24 hour from an up to a down. I like the idea in theory, with the whole 24 thing, but then realized I struggled with that prompt on Pop Sugar this year and don't relish the idea of doing it again.
Well, this is how I ended up voting:Downvotes:
🔹Wilkie Collins
🔹24 hours (I have just done the challenge too many times)
Upvotes:
🔹Biography/memoir
🔹Wood dragon
🔹Raining cats and dogs
🔹Related to night
🔹Pirates (I love X marks the spot too, and would happy have both prompts)
🔹Terracotta army (The more I thought about this prompt, the more I loved it)
Nadine in NY wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "QUESTION for those of you knowledgeable about the Terracotta Army (this isn't about books or the reading challenge): when I was at DisneyWorld / Epcot / China ..."
There was another show I watched somewhere (I don't think it was the NOVA one I mentioned above, unless I stepped out at the right moment) where there are craftsmen and women who make replicas and ship them all over the world. They make them a few inches tall so you can have them on a desk or they make them as big as the real things.
And I am absolutely dying to see when they open the emperor's tomb/mound. He supposedly had a replica of the world in there with flowing water and "stars" in the sky. I don't know how close they are to that, but it sounds stunning.
Jennifer W wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "QUESTION for those of you knowledgeable about the Terracotta Army (this isn't about books or the reading challenge): when I was at DisneyW..."
it was not in the nova Emperor's Ghost army, which is the one i watched. I can tell you that.
Supposedly the room floor is one big huge map of china with rivers of quicksilver. that would be so cool to see.
There was a chinese show called The Imperial Coroner (on Viki) that has the emperor building a topographic map of china within the palace. it's so huge it covers most of the room.
Hi everyone!I also missed the whole process, but my initial thoughts/reactions are:
- I really like the raining cats and dogs, Terracotta army, and horse on the cover prompts
- I like the 25 most beautiful cities prompt, but the list seems skewed to wealthy cities (especially relative to the other cities in the given country). There is also only one city in sub-Saharan Africa on the entire list and it's Cape Town - the city with the largest white population on the continent, so it also seems a bit geographically skewed. I think I would have much preferred wording like "a book set in a city you find beautiful" or "a book set in a beautiful city" - the current wording makes it seem as though there is an objective, definitive list of the most beautiful cities out there. Alternatively, for people who want to use a list, it could be "a book set in a city that is considered beautiful" which would allow people to use any city as long as SOME website lists it as a beautiful destination.
- a book that features a hobby would be difficult for me because it seems like either any book could fit if I used the loosest interpretation (any activity that could be considered a hobby is present in the book), or I would be stuck on the word "hobby" and only want to use books where the hobby is very prominently featured
- I had difficulty finding a book to fulfill the 24-hour prompt for the Popsugar challenge this year, so I would not be excited to do that prompt again for 2024. It's easier if you stretch the prompt so it fits the spirit of the prompt more than the letter since I came across several that were over 24 hours but still "one day".
(Also, @Thomas, the "China not my thing" is quite harsh considering that possible interpretations include Chinese diaspora authors, many of whom write books that have nothing to do with Chinese culture. I'm not Chinese but I'm not very comfortable with reading comments about people dismissing entire cultures/ethnicities)
@Irene I do see the problems with the beautiful cities prompt. It is an arbitrary list put together by a travel magazine. That means the audience is those who will spend money traveling. While it is that type of list, it is a good starting point. One that may interest others to read more widely and give people like me who try to do that another prompt to easily slot in a book for another country.
@Anastasia I agree about it being a good starting point. I guess I just wish the prompt was reworded so doesn't seem as though there are 25 cities that are definitively the most beautiful - maybe it could be rephrased to "A book set in one of the cities on Travel + Leisure's List of 25 Most Beautiful Cities"?
The prompt doesn't require you to use the Travel and Leisure list. Beauty is subjective. There are alternative lists you could use, one used only smaller cities. If you travel a great deal, you might not need a list at all.
I thought the point of the prompt was to use that list. The prompt isn’t just a beautiful city making it subjective. I think by saying 1 of 25 makes it specific to that list. Although I guess there could be other lists of just 25 that could technically be used.
The wording of the Terracotta Army prompt makes me think more of the archaeology/antiquities connection since it's about the discovery of them. Or you could go with a book about death rituals since they were supposed to protect the emperor in the afterlife. I didn't vote either way on it but I don't mind it getting in as lots of ways to interpret it.
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Emily wrote: "I just panicked thinking it was results day, but alas, it is THE LAST DAY TO VOTE!"Good thing I'm back from vacation today LOL.
We have such a lot of great stuff for the opening round of suggested prompts! I ended up with 7 upvotes and a downvote, plus a couple I'd definitely like to see come back.
Upvotes
1. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs"
Love, love, love this prompt; definite upvote
3. A book related to the year of the wood dragon
I always love to have the Chinese zodiac animal as a prompt and it's one I try to fill during the year even if it's not a prompt in a challenge. Definite yes.
4. A book in honour of Wilkie Collins
I have never managed Mr. Collin's books, but I do like the idea of being able to use his titles as cover hunt prompts, or possibly matching titles? Started out nope but now I've talked myself around to yes.
5. A book related to night
I will always go for something like this because it's a theme that I like and it's easy to KIS or BIO. Also I have so many great covers and titles for this, as well as some books that take place entirely at night I think. Definite yes.
9. A book with a number in the title
I always love hunting numbers and it's easy to fill.
12. A book that takes place in 24 hours
I have a whole shelf to books that take place in specific timeframes and it started out as a shelf for books that take place in a day, so this is a definite yes from me.
14. A biography, autobiography, or memoir
I'm currently obsessed with fictional biographies and mockumentaries, so this one is a surprise yes for me as I think a lot of our nonfiction readers will enjoy it and I also have a lot of fiction reads that fit.
Downvote
10. A book set in Paris
Paris is on the beautiful cities list, and if we are going to force another specific city setting (I do not love these kinds of prompts) I would rather have a list to choose from. It's a nope.
Bring it back
8. A book related to the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Terracotta Army
I'm not really a fan, even though I have a lot of Chinese and Chinese diaspora writers I'm loving. I'd want it to have some specific connection to the army and that's really hard to fill. (I too am in the mood for easy prompts for next year.) But I am interested in this and I could be talked into it. I just don't have room for it in this vote/have some reservations.
15. A book involving pirates, maps, or treasure
Joining the chorus here. I'd like to see this one resubmitted as "X marks the spot" as the connection to 24 is clearer and I think that's a way more interesting prompt.
Amy (Other Amy) wrote: "Emily wrote: "I just panicked thinking it was results day, but alas, it is THE LAST DAY TO VOTE!"Good thing I'm back from vacation today LOL.
We have such a lot of great stuff for the opening ro..."
I love your ideas on how to approach the Wilkie Collins prompt!
Samantha wrote: "I love your ideas on how to approach the Wilkie Collins prompt!"I've been looking at his titles and there are so many great ones! I'm really hoping that prompt makes it in now. I was thinking about a woman in white on the cover or a moon and a stone, but now I also see No Name (I have a whole shelf for nameless protagonists) and Haunted Hotel (can I manage to read The Shining? I don't know!)
Ooh Amy, will you share some of your fiction biographies/mockumentaries?
Alicia wrote: "Ooh Amy, will you share some of your fiction biographies/mockumentaries?"Absolutely! Almost all of these are books I'm interested in reading, rather than books I've read yet, but I am very excited about them:
The Life and Death of Sophie Stark
The Blazing World
The Unauthorised Biography of Ezra Maas
The Real Life of Sebastian Knight
Orlando
The Book of Luce
Adrianne Geffel: A Fiction
Moonglow
The Big Music
Daisy Jones & The Six
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev
Wylding Hall
The Last Days of Jack Sparks
Black Mountain (not perfectly sure this one is a fictional biography or just a fictional history)
Penance (another I'm not quite sure about; fictional journalism about a murder)
There's also biographical fiction. I have a few books about authors I want to read like The Master and The Magician.
Another Biographical Fiction is The Postcard by Anne Berest. Translated from French. Heavily based on her family’s experience in WWII France, but various names changed, and exact conversations unknown that she thought it appropriate to call it fiction.
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Thanks I’ve just added some to my TBR!
Pamela wrote: "Well that just ruined my week! I've been checking for results all day, dying to find out before just realizing today is only Wednesday! Grrr (I worked Mon and Tue)"And I always have to remember - Thursday morning isn't my Thursday morning but more like late Thursday night (so more like when I wake up Friday!)...
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Magician (other topics)The Master (other topics)
The Big Music (other topics)
The Real Life of Sebastian Knight (other topics)
Orlando (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Elie Wiesel (other topics)Geraldine Brooks (other topics)
Peter Carey (other topics)
Per Petterson (other topics)
Robert Olmstead (other topics)
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