[2024] Poll 2 Voting

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Robin wrote: "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 ..."

Oops, forgot what year we are on!

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Nike wrote: "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 ..."

I didn't mean to dismiss you at all, I am really sorry if it came across that way. My intention was to apologize that we sometimes use expressions or references that aren't universal. For instance, several group members were confused one time about a reference to "homecoming" which is strictly an American high school event.

And I also didn't intend to imply anything about your language skill. It is because your English is perfect that it doesn't dawn on us that any expression might not be familiar to everyone.

Again, I'm sorry if anything came across as critical. It is a benefit of a group like this that we can connect around the world, and we value your participation.

[Book Concierge]

Re "a book related to dragons"

Good point that irrasicible "controlling" women are frequently referred to as dragons (and I wear that title proudly!).

Also many books have scenes in Chinese restaurants, frequently described as having some sort of dragon on the decor, or possibly even having "dragon" in the name of the eatery.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

NancyJ wrote: "Amy, how about Magical Realism for your 8th prompt? Seanan McGuire books have hundreds of magical realism tags. This category has become broader than its original definitions, but it’s far from a gimme."

Thanks, Nancy. I read a LOT of magical realism, so it really would be a gimme prompt for me. (I also make distinction between SFF and magical realism, but that's a conversation I think has already been had.) I also just kind of generally hate genre prompts usually.

Tracy wrote: "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."

I don't see any reason you couldn't read either of these as being related to masks? You could also look at the concept of people's presented identity or persona, since Jung described that as a mask.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I'm going with the all up vote and adding the Seven Dwarfs:

3. A book related to We Didn't Start the Fire
4. A book about or featuring a landmark
7. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs
8. A book related to masks or a masquerade
10. A book with a single word title
11. A book with a piece of fruit on the cover
13. A book related to X marks the spot
15. A book related to dragons

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Jette wrote: "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..."

Was watching Nora from Queens last night and for her guest stint on a friend's cam, she comes out dressed in a dragon costume and says "this is not what they meant by dragon lady."

So you could also read books that detail the history of East Asian actresses in Hollywood as the Dragon Lady was a big stereotype they were forced into so something on Anna Mae Wong or Siren Queen

[Tracy]

Jette wrote: "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..."

Thanks for bringing this up. I've been meaning to suggest When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill, in case Dragons gets upvoted, for anyone who isn't "into" dragons. Dragons here are more a metaphor for when women (in the 1950s US) got fed up with being treated like housewives were treated then. Saw a great video of the author at a book reading describing what she heard on the news that inspired her to write this book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5nby...

[Anastasia]

@Tracy Sherwood I enjoyed that book.

[Karin]

Robin wrote: "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 ..."

it's the 24th letter, but the expression is an idiom that means this is the exact location (used on maps, etc.) It's been around since at least 1813, and is often used on treasure maps in fiction (not just in pirate stories, but of course that's done a lot in those.)

[Alicia]

I’m so excited to see the results of this week. I’m sure I’ll be disappointed to see something didn’t make it, but curious to see if there will be any bottoms

[Heather L]

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."

X is also what people who couldn’t read or write would mark for their signature, as in “sign your X on the dotted line.”

[Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~]

I had 4 up and 4 down. Always love the ATY challenges so deffo up from me, and I have loads of books that count:
Anna Karenina
Ugly
Diary
The Rosie Effect
The Casual Vacancy
The Wolf of Wall Street
The Chemist
About a Boy
The Husband's Secret

[NancyJ]

Pamela wrote: "Jette wrote: "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 t..."

Thanks Pamela, that was interesting. I love hearing the new ideas for prompts,

[NancyJ]

Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~ wrote: "I had 4 up and 4 down. Always love the ATY challenges so deffo up from me, and I have loads of books that count:
Anna Karenina
Ugly
Diary
[book:The Rosie..."

Gem, which prompts do these books fit?

[Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~]

NancyJ wrote: "Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~ wrote: "I had 4 up and 4 down. Always love the ATY challenges so deffo up from me, and I have loads of books that count:
Anna Karenina
Ugly
[bo..."

The ATY challenge, book titles that end A T or Y

[Katie]

Just saw a headline that Milan Kundera died yesterday at 94. Guess that changes my thoughts on an author we lost because I've been meaning to read The Unbearable Lightness of Being forever and putting it off to next year seems pretty ideal.

This link should be unlocked for non-NYT subscribers: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/12/wo...

[Nike]

NancyJ wrote: "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 trea..."

Aha, we have Nearly the same here - but without the X. Just a red dot and the words "You are here". Interesting 🙂

[Nike]

Robin P wrote: "Nike wrote: "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 somet..."

Thank you very much for your kind words 🙏. Yes, I did believe you were dismissing me so I'm happy that it was just a misunderstanding. Again thank you 🌺🌺🌺