[2024] Poll 2 Voting

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I loved The Measure, which is set in the real world except boxes appear that can predict how long a person lives. The Sentence also would work - completely in the real world (sometimes too real) except there's a ghost haunting the bookstore.

[Bea]

I ended up voting for 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 15 and down voting for 12 just because my initial response to that genre is always NO. Sorry, folks.

[Joan]

I upvoted 5 and downvoted 3. I've had a hard time with recent lists finding books for dragons. I feel like I've already read the ones I want to with them in there. I thought the author prompt of who passed away in 2023 was a little too narrow for my taste. At least so far it is and I hope it stays that way for the authors I read!!! I also downvoted the mask and masquerade one. I couldn't think of what I would read for that one.

I upvoted sci-fi because I seem to read my fair share of them. I upvoted the single word title. I seem to have read a lot on the list already though. I upvoted the A, T or Y one. I feel like we have to have a prompt relating to that. I upvoted the fruit one. There are a couple on the list I want to read. And I just voted and can't remember the fifth one I upvoted because there were a lot of others I liked. Man, I'm getting old!! I think it was the start a fire one. Jeez.........I really can't remember.

I wouldn't mind at all if the other prompts I didn't vote for didn't get in. I really liked the 7 dwarfs one so not sure if that was the 5th one I can't remember.

[Sunny]

There weren't any prompts that I didn't want to vote for; and so I won't be disappointed in whatever gets in.

I voted for A, T, or Y because I have fun searching through my books finding a match for this prompt no matter how it's done; followed by Snow White's 7 Dwarfs, which I think is nifty. Being a librarian (not to mention a writer) I couldn't not vote for the writer, librarian or bookseller. I have found myself wandering into the world of Sci-fi a bit and enjoying myself so much that I voted for it. I also voted for: We Didn't Start the Fire, a single word title, X marks the spot, and dragons.

[Nancy]

Sarah Addison Allen is my absolute favorite magical realism author. She had a very long break before her most recent book (Other Birds) due to family circumstances and I absolutely loved it.

I will not downvote authors who died in 2023, there's nothing I'm interested in reading, but I would like to see it suggested again toward the end for reasons already mentioned.

I also don't love at least 247 pages because that's basically "read a book." If I don't upvote all 8 that will be my downvote, still TBD.

[NancyJ]

Nadine in NY wrote: "Magical realism is when everything about the world in the story is completely 100% realistic and like our real world, EXCEPT for one little thing, which is accepted as normal within the bounds of t..."

Nadine, that’s a very simple definition and I’ve described it that way too, but it’s really broader than that. If you look at the most common examples of the genre, very few of them have only one little aspect of magic. Most people take a much broader view of the genre.

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

One Hundred Years of Solitude is the most commonly cited magical realism book, and it has many different types of magical experiences in the story. (I reread it this year and I’d estimate at least 20 different things that defy reality.) Like Water for Chocolate was the first magical realism book I read. It also has more than that one type of magic in the story.

I loved The Round House, Sing Unburied Sing, and Garden Spells. I also strongly recommend The Golem and the Jinni. The title sounds like pure fantasy, but the world appears perfectly realistic to most of the characters. It’s very smart, and the nonhuman characters teach us an awful lot about what it means to be human.

This tag list shows the most commonly accepted books in the genre.

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Anastasia]

@Nadine, they are magical realism because they are interpreted as dreams. They are considered original magical realism. The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe is a portal fiction because they go through the wardrobe to another world and acknowledge that they did so. Another words no possibility of it being a dream state or hallucination.

[Jill]

5 Up and 3 Down. Not a fan of sci-fi, Fire song been done and Magical Realism, as I obviously don't really know what it is.

[Ellie]

NancyJ wrote: "It’s very smart, and the nonhuman characters teach us an awful lot about what it means to be human..."

You know fantasy can be smart and meaningful too?

[Stacey]

This group wasn't my favorite. I downvoted 5: I felt the landmark prompt was too much like the 25 beautiful places we just voted in, meh to sci-fi (unless it's by Delany), the writer/librarian/bookseller was kinda boring, as was 247, and we just did dragons last year, so that was a no.

[Tracy]

Thank you @Ellie, and others, for the Mask info. I think something must have happened to me in a previous life because all those mask covers just really turn me off. I think I’d be better with a book involving someone hiding their identity (sans mask), like the type of stories where a young woman has to pretend to be a man in order to help/save their family/country (Mulan, The Breadwinner). Or maybe a COVID or other pandemic book? I already read Jodi Picoult’s COVID book, but I know there are others.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Joan wrote: "I upvoted 5 and downvoted 3. I've had a hard time with recent lists finding books for dragons. I feel like I've already read the ones I want to with them in there. I thought the author prompt of wh..."

Mine were just about like yours, for the same reasons. I thought the author we lost was too narrow. I like the creativity of the mask, but thought it would be too hard to find. The landmark also seemed narrow to me, since I refuse to read any more of those WWII books where a woman is facing away toward the Eiffel Tower!

As far as the discussion on magical realism, the KIS and BIO options could come into play. For KIS, you could expand to other types of fantasy

[Thomas]

Emily- I logged my answers at 9:58 as I still can’t get my link in. For the first time it was all upvotes. I’m not that keen on magical realism but I can live with it so it became a non vote for me

[Elizabeth]

6 up 2 down! but I wouldn't be too upset about any of these getting in.

[NancyJ]

Ellie wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "It’s very smart, and the nonhuman characters teach us an awful lot about what it means to be human..."

You know fantasy can be smart and meaningful too?"

I sure do!

[NancyJ]

Robin P wrote: "Joan wrote: "I upvoted 5 and downvoted 3. I've had a hard time with recent lists finding books for dragons. I feel like I've already read the ones I want to with them in there. I thought the author..."

I agree with your comments about BIO/KIS for Magical Realism.

I really like the landmark idea, but I agree it needs more examples. If it doesn't make it now, maybe it can be resubmitted in September with more ideas. I'm planning to upvote dragons, (mainly for Temeraire and Fourth Wing sequels), but I might end up changing my mind.

[Martha]

I voted 3 up, 5 down. I voted for all the genre categories and downvoted prompts I would have a difficult time fulfilling.

[Pam]

I like this group of suggestions! My thoughts after looking through books on my physical bookshelves-

Yes votes:
•Ends in A,T, or Y since I have several good options
•Gold on the cover - maybe I will finally read Pillars of the Earth! If not, there are lots of books with the word gold in the title or authors name. I also like a cover search for the color.
•Science Fiction is always a yes for me. I belong to a monthly SF book club so I’m guaranteed to read a few.
•Bookseller, librarian, writer- Even though the prompt says “character” which makes me think fiction, I might go with a biography of a writer. I have a graphic novel about Kafka that I’m dying to read!
•Single word title - lots of options including Carl Hiassen’s youth books, Chomp or Hoot, which are fun reads.
•Fruit on cover- 2 good options plus cook books. Good cover search.
•Magical Realism- I found a list of authors and there at least 11 I want to read. My latest purchase in this genre is Violeta by Isabela Allende.

My only down vote will be dragons, although I could find something.

[Lindsay]

7 up votes including magical realism (my prompt) and sci-fi (as I realised I have loads of these on my TBR).

1 down vote for writer/librarian/bookseller as I hate this as a trope. I think its a really lazy writing option...although I can probably pick a book for it as I expect it'll be a popular option.

[Beth]

Going against the grain here but I don't love this round of suggestions. I went with more downvotes than upvotes, mainly because a lot of these don't fit with what I want to read or are repetitive from previous years.

I'm hoping the ATY title and seven dwarves make it through.

[Mary]

Possible Prompts:
1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y-neutral. We are doing one this year with a setting with these letters. but it should be easy
2. A book with gold on the cover-neutral-i did this prompt recently but it should be easy a book on my tar list b/c of it.
3. A book related to We Didn't Start the Fire-excited for it. Something new and i like the song.
4. A book about or featuring a landmark-sure! i'm sure something on my 'tbr list i haven't read this yet but will meet it.
5. A sci-fi novel-probably a downvote. I've read a couple the past couple years. I'm not a fan.
6. A book where a main character is a writer, a librarian or a bookseller-i feel like i just had this one but neutral. probably something on my list will fit it.
7. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs-sure! something new. I love the 7 dwarfs.
8. A book related to masks or a masquerade-sure! willing to try it.
9. A book related to or by an author we lost in 2023-thinking these might be harder b/c they will be popular at the library but willing to try.
10. A book with a single word title-sure! Probably have a bunch.
11. A book with a piece of fruit on the cover-sure! will be a good reason to scour my shelves.
12. A book involving magical realism-neutral. I've done this prompt recently. sometimes i like it-sourdough was good.
13. A book related to X marks the spot-neutral. Can imagine using others tbr's for this.
14. A book with at least 247 pages-sure. probably have plenty on my tbr that meets this.
15. A book related to dragons-might turn into a down. Not a big fan of these.

[Theresa]

I rarely participate in the suggesting and voting here, happy to live with the end results of others' work, but happening to spot the discussion of book related to masks or masquerades, I want to suggest this is actually a far broader prompt than it would seem at first blush, and deserves being pushed along the process.

As RobinP pointed out, masquerade balls are popular in regency romances, and while mostly you only know if reading the book, many include in title, or book description or even have mask on cover. Plus visits to Vauxhall, the pleasure gardens often involved mask wearing.

But masks also encompass thievery and books about burglary and theft woukd work forom many genres and eras - highwaymen in England, bandits in old west, ski masks in street crime.

Then there are books like The Phantom of the Opera or ones with court jester characters or pirandellos as masks often worn.

Basically any book where face is hidden for any reason to prevent identity works for mask.

[Pam]

Re: #6, there’s a new book out this week The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt.

[Kendra]

How I voted:

Downvotes:
Magical realism - My sister (who also does ATY) really hates this genre, and she will downvote prompts I hate, so I have to reciprocate.

Upvotes:
Title ends in ATY
It was my suggestion, so of course I'm voting for it.

X marks the spot
Seven Dwarfs
Masks/Masquerade
I really love these and hope they all make it in.

Author/Librarian/Book seller
Dragon
Scifi
These are all super easy for me given my usual reading patterns.

[NancyJ]

Kendra wrote: "How I voted:

Downvotes:
Magical realism - My sister (who also does ATY) really hates this genre, and she will downvote prompts I hate, so I have to reciprocate.

Upvotes:
Title ends in ATY
It was..."

It's nice that your sister does this with you. I tried to get my sister to join some challenges, but she just doesn't love reading enough. When we were kids, she slept while I snuck up to the attic with an extension cord lamp to read.

[Jackie, Solstitial Mod]

NancyJ wrote: "Romance readers should definitely upvote fruit on the cover. There are many choices. There are books in other genres too, but some of the covers convey a certain mood. 😉"

Nancy!! I almost choked lol

[Jill]

8 upvotes for me again.

1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y - lots of options on my TBR
3. A book related to We Didn't Start the Fire - will probably go with something with “Fire” in the title
4. A book about or featuring a landmark - This is my suggestion. If it gets in, it will be my first ever suggestion in the challenge. 😊
6. A book where a main character is a writer, a librarian or a bookseller - I love books about writers, librarians, and booksellers.
7. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs - Such a fun prompt. So many directions to go with this one.
9. A book related to or by an author we lost in 2023 - My son wants me to read Blood Meridian, or, the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy.
10. A book with a single word title - Again, a lot of options in my TBR.
12. A book involving magical realism - I really like this genre.

[Tracy]

Voted! 6 Up and 2 Down again. I try to only do down votes for things that really turn me off, and not just because they would be hard. This year i wasn't thrilled with "A Western" (which couldn't be down voted as it was a lucky winner's choice), and ended up really liking the book I read. That showed me that "hard" wasn't a good enough reason to down vote an idea.

[Rachel]

It seems people like the Seven Dwarfs idea already, but in case anyone was concerned about it not being open to non-fiction, it absolutely is!

Some examples:
Grumpy, Happy, and Bashful - self-help books would be a good fit (ie. anger management, books about happiness, books about confidence/social anxiety)
Sneezy, Doc - medical books, anything about illness or maybe even the human body
Dopey - books about drugs or addiction
Sleepy - books about dream interpretations, books about sleep disorders

[Tracy]

I like those interpretations Rachel!

[NancyJ]

Rachel wrote: "It seems people like the Seven Dwarfs idea already, but in case anyone was concerned about it not being open to non-fiction, it absolutely is!

Some examples:
Grumpy, Happy, and Bashful - self-hel..."

Good idea. There are several great books on the advantages of introversion for Bashful, and books on wellbeing and positive psychology for Happy.

[NancyJ]

Jackie wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Romance readers should definitely upvote fruit on the cover. There are many choices. There are books in other genres too, but some of the covers convey a certain mood. 😉"

Nancy!! I ..."
😁 I’m starting to learn the symbolism of many cover art choices.

[Pam]

Rachel- I really like your non-fiction interpretations!

[Alicia]

Excited about this week!! I think this will be my first time doing all upvotes

So far my upvotes are:

1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y
7. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs
8. A book related to masks or a masquerade
9. A book related to or by an author we lost in 2023
10. A book with a single word title
12. A book involving magical realism
13. A book related to X marks the spot


I always like a book about a writer/librarian/bookseller, but I like "Librarians on the Loose" idea from the Wild Discussion. And even though I think they are going to rework the wording, I'm afraid this would take away from that.

I also like 247 pages and while it's easy, I like the connection to 24.

Also, Thomas, here is your URL so you can save it in your phone to use later: goodreads.com/user/show/20861770-thomas

[Sheena]

For the masks/masquerade prompt:

Book Covers with Masks
Romances with Masquerade Balls
Books with Characters in Disguise

[Tracy]

Thanks for the links Sheena! If “masks” makes it in I’m much more likely to do “a character in disguise” than “masks on the cover” or “masquerades”. I wish I knew why I have a problem with the more direct mask reference…

[Siobhan]

What an amazing set of prompts! Really excited about most of these. :D

Upvotes:

3. A book related to We Didn't Start the Fire - I recently listened to the Fall Out Boy take on this song and loved it. Between the update and the original, there are a lot of fun subjects here!

7. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs - Again, a lot of fun interpretations here! Room to get inventive or go easy, depending on my mood.

10. A book with a single word title - I have a few fun options for this one already!

13. A book related to X marks the spot - I was alright with the pirates prompt last time, but I like this one even more! Again, one that could have a lot of fun interpretations.

14. A book with at least 247 pages - I just like the quite specific number! And it's one that'd be fairly easy for me to find.

15. A book related to dragons - I always like dragons! If this one doesn't get in, I will happily upvote every other dragon prompt that comes in. XD

Downvotes:

11. A book with a piece of fruit on the cover
12. A book involving magical realism

[Nike]

What does "X marks the spot" mean? English is not my mother tongue and I've never come across that expression before.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Nike wrote: "What does "X marks the spot" mean? English is not my mother tongue and I've never come across that expression before."

Thanks for asking. It happens sometimes that we choose a prompt with an expression or cultural reference that is mostly American or mostly English-language. Some of our members participate in this entire process in perfect English, so we don't think to explain. This expression was used in books and movies about pirates, such as Treasure Island, where there is a map and there is a big X showing the location of buried treasure. In this case, X is the 23rd letter of the English alphabet, so it could also be a book with the letter X in the title or a design with the shape of an X on the cover. There was also the mention of an "ex-boyfriend", "ex-wife", etc., that is a former one, which could be part of the plot.

[Alicia]

Apologies, for not giving more explanation. Generally x marks the spot can be the exact location of something. Usually, it is something you are looking for, such as treasure. But could also be anything someone might be searching for or trying to find.

Another interpretation, is the x marked for actors on where to stand. Or I found this about the British army, so maybe a book about someone sentenced to death or executions

The phrase was put into common usage by the British army, who performed executions by marking a piece of paper with a black x and positioning it on the heart of someone sentenced to death. Source: theidioms.com

[NancyJ]

The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott

I was just reminded of this really interesting book I loved. It’s tagged magical realism, science fiction, and adventure. It fits raining-cats-and-dogs, birds-bees-bunnies, tinker-tailor-soldier-spy, nature, environment, water setting, southern hemisphere, Australian Awards, mountain setting, sea creatures, solitude and maybe even X marks the spot.

[Book Concierge]

voted

[Nike]

Alicia wrote: "Apologies, for not giving more explanation. Generally x marks the spot can be the exact location of something. Usually, it is something you are looking for, such as treasure. But could also be anyt..."

Thank you so much for your explanation! I appreciate it a lot =)

[Robin H-R]

Jill wrote: "8 upvotes for me again.

9. A book related to or by an author we lost in 2023 - My son wants me to read Blood Meridian, or, the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy."

No Country for Old Men is an awesome read, especially if you've seen the movie. I have Blood Meridian on my TBR list.

This was an upvote for me...Anne Perry and John Jakes are two of my most favorite authors.

[Robin H-R]

Robin P wrote: "Nike wrote: "What does "X marks the spot" mean? English is not my mother tongue and I've never come across that expression before."

Thanks for asking. It happens sometimes that we choose a prompt ..."

X is the 24th letter...

[Nike]

Robin P wrote: "Nike wrote: "What does "X marks the spot" mean? English is not my mother tongue and I've never come across that expression before."

Thanks for asking. It happens sometimes that we choose a prompt ..."

Thank you. And I do believe it's allowed for people from all over the world to participate in this process. We are a substantial number of members from other parts of the world than the US. We are many people from Europe and there are a vast number of people from other parts as well. Hitherto nobody has been dismissing me due to my English language skills and I do believe you could forgive me for not knowing every single English expression. My English is really good enough.

[Robin H-R]

NancyJ wrote: "Rachel wrote: "It seems people like the Seven Dwarfs idea already, but in case anyone was concerned about it not being open to non-fiction, it absolutely is!

Some examples:
Grumpy, Happy, and Bas..."

Definitely Dopey...
Laptop from Hell: Hunter Biden, Big Tech, and the Dirty Secrets the President Tried to Hide

[Jette]

Probably too late to impact this round, but the Cambridge Dictionary defines a dragon as 'an unfriendly and frightening woman'. If the prompt gets in, that may be the interpretation that I use. I'm not into dragon type fantasy at all.

[NancyJ]

Nike wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Apologies, for not giving more explanation. Generally x marks the spot can be the exact location of something. Usually, it is something you are looking for, such as treasure. But cou..."

When I go to a large shopping mall, they have a large map showing all the stores. They put an “X -you are here”on the map to show the spot where you are standing.

[Conny]

No downvotes this round for me, good job with the suggestions everyone!!

My favorites/upvotes:

1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y
Options on my TBR: Der Mörder stirbt zuletzt, Meine gute alte Zeit, Von meinem Blut, The Secret, Shades of Grey, Playlist, White Sky, The Chalk Pit, Kill Joy, Crown of Midnight, Rules of Civility

3. A book related to We Didn't Start the Fire
Terminal Freeze (in reference to the line "polar bears get no ice" in the Fall Out boy version)

4. A book about or featuring a landmark
ideas TBD

7. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs
Love on the Brain would fit Happy, Grumpy, or Doc

9. A book related to or by an author we lost in 2023
Der Höllenexpress by Christopher Fowler is on my TBR.

10. A book with a single word title
Loads of options on my TBR. Favorites right now: Wintersturm, Testphase, Playlist, Never, Dünenfluch

12. A book involving magical realism
I love magical realism and usually have a book or two handy that fits. I read One Last Stop earlier this year, which would be a perfect fit (not to mention that it is a very nearly perfect book in general!). Murakami Haruki's books also often feature magical realism (as do many Japanese books in general).

13. A book related to X marks the spot
I'll go for the piracy angle that was the origin of this prompt and consume the audiobook of The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy.