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[2024] Poll 3 Voting
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I'm usually a little surprised by people who say they have no downvotes. I generally don't plan my voting and just open the page and go by feel. Surprisingly, I had no downvotes! I also didn't want to upvote 8, but fun that there were no suggestions I'd be unhappy with (not that I know what I would read for all of them).
Mod
I always plan my voting to be 4 and 4 but sometimes end up changing that as I vote. I'm grumpy- there's always at least one I don't like
Maybe if the Banned Books prompt doesn't make it, the moderators would consider a mini challenge during banned books week/month. That way people that want to participate can choose to!
Pearl wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I'm going 7 up, one down. I hope that those who are pro-banned books (as a prompt, not in general lol) realize that those of us who are against it aren't for banned books. But it's ..."
I certainly understand that it's about not liking the prompt, not that you're pro-book banning! I just feel like it's such a huge issue right now that I (personally) want to scream about it from the rooftops (and just scream). I am glad to hear that other countries are not dealing with nincompoops like we are here in the US!
Alicia wrote: "Karin wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Hmm I'm stumped on this list. There isn't anything I love, but there also isn't anything I dislike. I'm more like meh because I feel like all of these are things I coul..."Okay, not a problem--I've seen others focus only on American stuff so often that I may have jumped the gun here :)
Rachel wrote: "7. A science fiction fantasy novel - Not a fan of the wording on this. I tend to consider sci-fi and fantasy two separate things, although they could overlap."I agree in that fantasy novels are their own genre, but as a long time reader of scifi I've found it not unusual to have fantasy in scifi. However, I might have upvoted it since at some point in the year I'll read scifi (didn't memorize what I up and down voted, only some of them.)
However, I went 4 up and 4 down. The downvotes are mostly things I've done too many times, and I did downvote banned books because it's been done so many times. I'll probably read banned books, but don't want to have to make a point of it.
Michelle wrote: "I have missed the last two rounds of voting but have been ok with most of the prompts. I think I will have to try to remember to vote so I can use some downvotes- especially on science fiction fant..."It's "not a novel" not nonfiction, so you can read fiction in the form of short stories, poetry, plays.
Jennifer W wrote: " certainly understand that it's about not liking the prompt, not that you're pro-book banning! I just feel like it's such a huge issue right now that I (personally) want to scream about it from the rooftops (and just scream). I am glad to hear that other countries are not dealing with nincompoops like we are here in the US!."Actually, it's been a huge issue since books first started being published even when they were scrollss--even the Romans banned at least one. They aren't being banned for new reasons, either--usually it boils down to history, politics, religion (for and against), almost everything sex-related (including gender) and race.
In any event, the idea of a mini-challenge is great if it doesn't win, and I almost always read one for banned books week; it's not hard since we own a number of them so I don't even have to go to the library.
Mod
I also go by feel and immediately forget what I voted for and against, except maybe a couple that I felt strongly about.
I ended up voting for split cover, set in/around a building, sensory disability, and 6+ words in the title. That last one was a bit of a spur of the moment decision. I'd originally thought I was going to vote for disembodied hand, but I don't love the wording and couldn't find a ton of options on my TBR list so I decided to hold off. I managed to find enough titles of 6 words or more that I felt that it was challenging but not impossible.I downvoted basically all other setting prompts: ranch/farm, new-to-you location, related to a mountain (I realize this isn't strictly setting though), and different hemisphere. I know we'll have some kind of setting prompt on the list, but I'm so tired of challenges requiring me to pick books geographically. I'm not quite sure how to word a setting prompt any differently though.
Mod
Since banned books just annoys me, should it be picked I would go off clue a little and finally read Damnable Heresy: William Pynchon, the Indians, and the First Book Banned (and Burned) in Boston. Seems a better use to understand book banning than just reading a banned book.
Ellie wrote: "Karin wrote: "It's not just America that bans this sort of thing.."The prompt says to read a book off a banned books list and nearly all the lists I see are regarding banning books in US librarie..."
I recognize that the recent surge in the US is a symptom of the current culture wars in our country. There have been issues that revealed divisions in many countries in the world, eg Brexit, reproductive rights, even women driving. (There might be a prompt idea in here. I’ll think about it.)
When Salman Rushdie was attacked (last year?) someone shared a list of authors around the world who were threatened with death or jail because of books they wrote. The prompt didn’t make it. Does anyone have this list still?
New prompt idea for September. I noticed that many of the list prompts in the past were too narrow (or polarizing) by themselves. I think it could be fun to have a Second Chance List prompt near the end of the year. Read a book that was on a list prompt that *didn’t* make it in the last 2-3 years of voting (including this summer). We would have to specify the lists at the time of voting. It could include several awards lists, diversity lists, the Millions list, list of threatened authors, list of authors honored by the queen, list of authors that passed away this year, Tookie’s list, maybe even the Goodreads Choice awards for the years it was rejected.
What do you think?
Note to mods - I’ll move this post (or part of it) to the wild discussion in a few days. It might still be relevant to the banned book prompt.
Tracy wrote: "Ellie wrote: "I really like the disembodied hands one even though at first glance I don't have loads on my TBR at the moment. But it seems frequent enough that I'll find something.Some hands with..."
Its a very striking idea, aside from (or maybe because of) the gruesome connotations. I just didn’t find enough books on the list that would interest me (that I didn’t already read). If I liked horror I would vote for it anyway, trusting I will find something. If you have to resubmit it, it might have a better chance if you can add additional titles. I think that’s how your non-horizontal prompt eventually got in for 2023. The delay helped us find additional titles that would work.
1. A book on a banned books listI was indifferent on this one. I've done the prompt a lot but I can always find a book for it. I didn't vote either way on it.
2. A book with a title containing 6+ words
I was indifferent on this one as well. I still haven't read The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet so it would fit here.
3. A book with a divided, or split, cover
I voted against. Just because on my pile of books to read I only have one and I plan to read that this year.
4. A book that is not a novel
I upvoted. I love short story books.
5. A book set mostly in or around a building
I didn't downvote but now I can't remember if I upvoted.
6. A book with disembodied hand(s) on the cover
I voted for this. I found Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close at a thrift store so I have that to read.
7. A science fiction fantasy novel
I upvoted. I seem to like this category.
8. A book related to Friends
Another one I was indifferent on, even though I can practically quote every line in every episode.
9. A book with a ranch or farm setting ?
I downvoted. The western one was hard for me this year even though I seemed to have ended up reading a good book. True Grit - in case anyone is stuck for that this year. I don't think I have a lot of farm books on my pile.
10. A book related to an invention or a discovery ?
I didn't vote either way but won't mind if it gets in. I still have to read The Last Days of Night
11. A book related to a sensory disability
I think I downvoted. I won't mind if it gets in though. I just don't have a lot of books currently that would fit this as far as I know.
12. A book set in a new-to-you location
I was fine either way on this one.
13. A book involving a STEM topic
I didn't vote either way.
14. A book set in a different hemisphere than where you live
I downvoted. I tend to stay in my hemisphere when I read except for Australia books and I feel a little exhausted on them.
15. A book related to a mountain
I upvoted. I seem to have a few with mountains on them.
I had 5 upvotes and 3 down but as usual I can't remember how I voted for a few even though I just did it....Jeez. I think I was just indifferent on a lot of them. My plan really for next year is to complete my series books that I want to read and can't fit in anywhere and to read the big books I've been putting off. I'm honestly not sure if I'll limit myself to half of the list next year or just fill books in at the end. The last couple of years I've been saying I want to go rogue and never do but I think I mean it for next year. I love this challenge because it pushes me to read some that I wouldn't but then I put off some longer books and series books that I can't fit anywhere. I'm planning on doing the quarterly challenges. I feel like you can make books fit there easily.
This one was a tough one for me. There were several prompts that I really liked, but that I had nothing for on my every growing TBR. Trying really hard to read from my shelves, or at least my existing TBR (by not adding just to fulfill a prompt). I also tend to do all upvotes, unless there is something I REALLY don't like.#2 - I liked the idea of doing the opposite of the One Word Title. I have several good options, but right now plan on going with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, which I keep trying to get to.
#3 - I like cover prompts. This will allow me to read
Transcendent Kingdom
or Gender Queer: A Memoir
.#4 - I love picking non-fiction books (I know this prompt is not limited to non-fiction, but I'm not really a poetry or play reader, and only starting to like short stories and essays). You know what they are going to be about more than fiction, but I mostly end up reading fiction because I love a good storyteller. This will make sure that I get to my long list of non-fiction I want to read. Right now I'm considering Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith because my son recommended it, and my mother-in-law grew up Mormon, but it's not something I'm that familiar with, other than a couple of historical fiction novels.
#5 - I liked this idea last year, and I am trying DESPERATELY to read a book coming out next February, Fourteen Days: An Unauthorized Gathering by Margaret Atwood and 13 other well known authors (a Covid story set in an apartment building).
#6 - My suggested prompt, a cover prompt, and a good way to reader either The Power
, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
or The Storyteller
.#8 - I also like these kind of "theme" prompts that can go so many directions. I'm probably going to go the Found Family direction, with something like Have You Seen Luis Velez?.
#13 - originally I was going to pick SciFi-Fantasy, but then the AI part of STEM caught my eye. Since I'm planning on reading The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet for the 6+ Word Title, I can easily then jump to the 2nd in the series, A Closed and Common Orbit which involves AI. I've read 3 books written by Becky Chambers, so I feel fairly comfortable "committing" to the 2nd in a series before reading the first. I have other options if that doesn't pan out.
#14 - I don't have a specific book picked out of several options I've flagged, but I had already decided I wanted to try to be sure to read an African author or a book set in Africa, and being from North America, a different hemisphere works here, doubly!
Karin wrote: "Rachel wrote: "7. A science fiction fantasy novel - Not a fan of the wording on this. I tend to consider sci-fi and fantasy two separate things, although they could overlap."I agree in that fanta..."
Karin, I would read it as sci-fi or fantasy. It might be the only way to get one or the other on the list. I think the divisions were more clear 40 years ago, but both categories are more diverse now and overlap a lot. I suspect that most contemporary sci-fi books also have some fantasy tags. The reverse might not be true though.
Tracy wrote: "This one was a tough one for me. There were several prompts that I really liked, but that I had nothing for on my every growing TBR. Trying really hard to read from my shelves, or at least my exist..."I loved A Closed and Common Orbit. It’s one of the best books I’ve read with AI characters. I liked this book a lot more than her newer series, but if you’re reading them in reverse, the setting at the beginning will seem too harsh. It’s worth it though, Another great book with AI characters is Exhalation by Ted Chiang. He’s probably more realistic.
I really liked Luis Velez too. It’s a real feel-good story.
Thanks Nancy - I had Exhalation on my TBR but forgot about it!
Nancy wrote: "I don't mind reading banned books. But I have been doing challenges for many years now and it's a prompt I'm tired of."Same.
NancyJ wrote: "Karin wrote: "Rachel wrote: "7. A science fiction fantasy novel - Not a fan of the wording on this. I tend to consider sci-fi and fantasy two separate things, although they could overlap."I agree..."
That's how I always take it, but it's annoying to have them lumped together so often since scifi is such a broad category already as is fantasy :)
I think the Listopias provided included “sci-fi”, “fantasy” and “sci-fi fantasy” (because apparently there are sci-fi books with magical elements that we think can never actually happen), so you can take it any way you want.
Just saw this listed (and added an embarrassing amount to my TBR) that will work if sci-fi/fantasy gets in. https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...
Mod
Alicia wrote: "Just saw this listed (and added an embarrassing amount to my TBR) that will work if sci-fi/fantasy gets in. https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2......"
Thanks Alicia. Perfect timing. I don't think of myself as someone who reads fantasy, but I really enjoyed the books I read on this list, and I'll adding more to my TBR. I just read Fourth Wing, and it was great fun. Babel was totally engrossing. I'd like to read more this summer. I wish we had more SFF related prompts on our 2023 list. I hope it makes it in for 2024.
I haven't voted yet because I still can't make up my mind. There are pairs of similar prompts. Do I want Inventions or STEM (or both)? New to you location or Hemisphere (or both)? Friend or Apartments (or both)? I could use the same books for each one. I can't vote for everything that I would like, and I'm afraid they'll split the vote. I just hope they don't land on the bottom.
And if I vote for Banned books, is that a wasted vote?
Robin P wrote: "Plus GR genres are arbitrary, they are just what people called them. Sometimes they are totally wrong, like calling a fiction book nonfiction or vice versa, and people have different views of what ..."That's why I'm glad they're together.
Tracy wrote: "I think the Listopias provided included “sci-fi”, “fantasy” and “sci-fi fantasy” (because apparently there are sci-fi books with magical elements that we think can never actually happen), so you ca..."There are definitely books that are both, but I prefer my scifi to be just scifi :) Some even try to use science to explain magic (the Cinder series.)
Robin P wrote: "Plus GR genres are arbitrary, they are just what people called them. Sometimes they are totally wrong, like calling a fiction book nonfiction or vice versa, and people have different views of what ..."This is so very true. One of my favourite mis-shelvings was on Shelfari where someone shelved/tagged To Kill a Mocking Bird as vampire (or was it werewolf??? It's been so long now!)
The Goodreads Blog is perfect for this poll, with a list of Science Fiction & Fantasy novels!! (probably too late for this poll since I guess everyone has already voted, but I'm throwing it out there in case someone is still on the fence):https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...
Karin wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Plus GR genres are arbitrary, they are just what people called them. Sometimes they are totally wrong, like calling a fiction book nonfiction or vice versa, and people have differen..."I think it was tagged "zombies" ...
Whatever the tag, I'm thinking it was related to the movies / books that Dill would relate "acting out all the parts".
Mod
Robin P wrote: "That reminds me of covers of classics that are done by cheap outfits or maybe overseas, where they do things like show someone hunting for To Kill a Mockingbird (just an example, I haven't seen tha..."Which leads to the common phrase (haha) - "You can't design a book's cover without reading more than the title..."
Book Concierge wrote: "Karin wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Plus GR genres are arbitrary, they are just what people called them. Sometimes they are totally wrong, like calling a fiction book nonfiction or vice versa, and people..."It might have been tagged that as well, but it's not zombies that I'm remembering--I want to say vampire but it might have been werewolf.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Dark City (other topics)Exhalation (other topics)
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (other topics)
Transcendent Kingdom (other topics)
Fourteen Days: An Unauthorized Gathering (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Becky Chambers (other topics)Salman Rushdie (other topics)
Jules Verne (other topics)
I hope that those who are pro-banned books (as a prompt, not in general lol) realize that those of us who are against it aren't for banned books. But it's such a broad p..."
I only do this challenge and since I joined we have never had banned books as a prompt. I think it's good that we know about it, even if we don't vote for it. I didn't know how bad the problem has become. I was surprised by the level of animus toward it so thank you for explaining.