Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2024] Poll 9 Voting
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Just last year. The year before it was Rock Paper Scissors Spock.
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I think because the more direct genre or list or award or title/cover variation prompts get greeted with "they did that in Pop Sugar, I don't want to do it again" so people are trying to think outside that box.
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I always thought Area 51 was in Roswell too!
Exeter NH also had aliens. UFO Fest is in a couple weeks, per the signs the last time I was visiting!
Pamela wrote: "dalex wrote: "There seems to be an obsession with prompts connected to pop culture this year. We already have some on the list (Snow White and Wonderful World) but it seems like every voting round ..."It's why the Chair prompt is intriguing to me. It's so out of left field, but so specific. I dig it.
Pamela wrote: "dalex wrote: "There seems to be an obsession with prompts connected to pop culture this year. We already have some on the list (Snow White and Wonderful World) but it seems like every voting round ..."That makes sense. We're going to hear (and say) comments no matter what comes up (too creative, not creative enough, blah blah blah.) That's OK, we all have opinions to share, but don't take them as criticism. We often change our minds too (I know I do), so all we can do is keep tossing in ideas. Sometimes timing is a factor.
I hope no one takes negative comments as a reason to NOT submit an idea (such as a list, genre, or pop culture related prompt), because sometimes an idea will just click with people, regardless of what type of prompt it is, or what people might have predicted. We need a good mix.
Joy D wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "@NancyJ I remember an episode that was about Roswell. That is AREA 51 in the US, which is rumored to have alien space craft and bodies."Roswell is in New Mexico. Area 51 is in N..."
I knew someone (in the military) who had to land in area 51 to refuel (if i'm remembering correctly). according to him, they could not get out of the plane, they were surrounded by armed soldiers for the 30 minutes they were there. what could be so important that you surround a military plane on a military base? it's hinky and i'm nevadan.
I mean, what was it about rabbits that made it come up every year until it finally got in for this year? Rock Paper Scissors isn't any different from any other prompt that people have suggested multiple years. I've tried to get a "book about books" prompt in every year and finally succeeded last year too.
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Pamela wrote: "Gosh darn... all this talk had be stopping at CVS look at the B&J on the way home and they actually had Phish food which I can't remember the last time I saw much less had. And it was buy one get o..."Phish Food is the BEST.
they just got in pumpkin cheesecake at the store today! i'm so excited to have that one. but i must finish the mint one and the dublin mudslide first since they were bought first. I really liked the bossin' cream pie.
My up votes right now are (2) perceptions of reality (I'm thinking PK Dick), (7) dream (the new book about MLK or magical realism genre), (10) bordering the Med (Greece, Italy, and France are settings I like), (11) Anne of Green Gables (I've only the read the first book so I'd probably read the next book or a different coming of age story or set on a farm). I found 4 books with a chair on the cover (Nicholas Nickleby, My Family and Other Animals, The Kalahari Typing School for Men, and The Literary Dog) on my physical bookshelves plus I have The Twelve Chairs by Ilya Ilf on my TBR so that's a maybe.
Omigod, I was such a HUGE fan of the X-Files back in the day, so I absolutely NEED that prompt to make it in! I'm already running through episodes in my head to see what would fit, haha.I'm also very much in love with a few other suggestions and have no immediate "anything but that" gut reaction, so yet again I may not be down voting anything this round. Can't wait for the results already!
I've only ever seen a couple of episodes of the X-Files, but I'm actually pretty excited for the prompt, I think it'd be fun. I know Mulder's first name is Fox (which could have some fun book ideas), but what is Scully's first name? (all I can think of is Vin, and Vin Scully is someone totally different! lol)
Sandra wrote: "Phish food is the best!"Agree! Not sure what books I would use for that, since Phish isn’t a band that suggests much to me.
I want to read City of Girls, and I think it fits creatures of the night, musicals or ice cream (New York). What do you think? My favorites are
A book related to a musical
A book on a summer reading list
A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea (Greece)
A book featuring creatures of the night
Ben & Jerry’s
I also like 2 main characters, and maybe Anne or unreality.
A book that has a character with a non-traditional name - what are some examples? Would this be Names that are usually last names, or names that are are unusual in your culture? Would this be good for a fantasy book with names I didn’t know?
City of Girls definitely fits musical. Set in Manhattan (setting for many musicals) and sounds like the setting is very theater/Broadway-esqueAnother push for musical, for those interested in civil rights prompt, that could pair well with the musical Hairspray
My interpretation of a non-traditional name would be that the character's name is unusual in their culture. I would count Tuesday Mooney Wore Black and A Year of Marvellous Ways, but not Swallows and Amazons, which has a character with a name that would be very odd in 21st century Britain but seemed to be normal in the story. But I think it's open to your own interpretation.
I’ll probably vote for Musical just because there are lots of good options.
First impressions (even before reading the rest of this thread): 1. A book with a character who could appear on the X-Files - Most likely an upvote. I never watched X-Files, but I like the range of options
2. A book that plays with perceptions of reality - A very strong maybe, if I can find enough options that fit
3. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream — current or retired - Love this! Definite upvote
4. A book with rock, paper or scissors on the cover - Definitely not a downvote, but not sure I want it strongly enough to upvote
5. A book with more than one main character - A bit prompt fatigued on this one. I'd be fine if it got in though
6. A book with a chair on the cover - Would need to look at options
7. A book where a dream plays a role - Not sure about this one. I would need to explore the options a bit, but it doesn't immediately stand out as something I strongly want
8. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads - I'm not quite sure how to approach this one without having to filter through lots of pages (my TBR shelf is huge) of unreleased books, but doing a quick look shows me I have 150 pages with 20 options per page on my list, so it doesn't really narrow things down much
9. A book on a summer reading list - I don't know why, but I actually really like this one. I think because it's a list prompt that's open enough that people can choose their own list, so it's guaranteed I'll find something I'm interested in instead of picking from such a limited set
10. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea - Again, geographic prompts are an automatic downvote for me for now
11. A book connected to Anne of Green Gables - I like Anne of Green Gables, but not sure I'm interested enough to vote for it. Definitely not a downvote though
12. A book that has a character with a non-traditional name - I'm not quite sure I understand what is meant by non-traditional
13. A book featuring creatures of the night - At first I thought this overlapped a bit with X-Files, not quite sure why, but I still really like this
14. A book related to a musical - On the fence with this one. I theoretically love it, but it does seem like it could be a bit too much of a freebie
15. A book over 500 pages - Would be helpful for things that I know I'm planning on reading next year, but it's a prompt that's been done many times before so not sure I'll vote for it this time
Chrissy wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Phish food is the best!"Agree! Not sure what books I would use for that, since Phish isn’t a band that suggests much to me."
A book about hippies? ;)
For a book related to a musical, I'd highly recommend The Girls of Murder City: Fame, Lust, and the Beautiful Killers who Inspired Chicago. I usually really enjoy musicals, but I could not get into Chicago because I thought it was too over the top. After I read that book, I realized that almost all the main elements of the musical were based on real life and real people and now I love it!
Even looking back at my own first impressions, I find it a bit ironic that musical seemed too potentially freebie-ish to me, but Ben & Jerry's didn't despite it also having an absolute ton of options!I definitely felt the same way dalex does about rock, paper, scissors about the bunny prompt that people lobbied for several years in a row. I didn't care for the bunny prompt when it first came up, and seeing it over and over for years didn't really make me like it any more than I originally did. I like rock, paper, scissors a little better, at least.
Does anyone have a list of books that involve perception of reality? I kind of know how I might approach this prompt, but I'm having trouble with figuring out the practical level of how to actually find those books.
Anastasia wrote: "There was an episode with the First Nation's Wendigo on X-Files. If it gets in, I may try to find a book about that is related."Nowhere To Run, one of the books in the Joe Pickett Series, weaves the legend of the Wendigo into the story.
Windigo Island in the Cork O'Connor series by William Kent Krueger does as well.
Ny thoughtsDefinite upvotes
2. A book that plays with perceptions of reality - I have a few books in mind which may be stretching the prompt but I'm okay with that - Three More Months and A Day Like This
5. A book with more than one main character - I can get in the dual perspective here
8. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads - I have lots of options for this
15. A book over 500 pages - Good chance to get through my long books.
I acutally don't think I have any downvotes. Some I'm probably more neutral about than others - eg. X-files and Ben and Jerry's - I have no connection to either of these, never watched the X-files and whilst Ben and Jerry's icecream is available in Autralia, it isn't huge (well not that I'm aware of) .I'm probably not that connected to Anne of Green Gables either. I could make any of these work, but won't vote for them.
I'll have to check my TBR for rock, paper, scissors and chairs before I decide on these 2.
Summer reading list is a definite maybe - but it seems quite broad given you can choose the list.
I love musicalal so that's a definite maybe too.....but will need to research a bit more.
Country bordering the Mediterranean Sea is a maybe. I would probably do France, Italy or Greece.
A book where a dream plays a role seems it could be covered by ben and jerrys given there is a flavour with dream in the name.
A book that has a character with a non-traditional name - would fantasy could for these? They all seem non-traditional. I'm reading Red Rising now and the main character is Darrow. But they are normal for fantasy so maybe not. Not sure what would fit here...would be good if there was some ideas.
A book featuring creatures of the night - a bit meh, but not sure it's meh enough to downvote it.
A lot of suggestions have been suggested every year in one form or another. I have a dreaming prompt on my never-to-be-completed rejects challenge, so it must have come up last year. Magical realism is another one that comes up again and again and seems to get bottomed but someone adjusted the wording and it eventually got in this year.Anyway I just like RPS as a cover prompt, thought it was flexible and no one shouted at me not to resubmit. I'm not particularly obsessed with it and won't try again after this. 🙂
@Charlsa, I will look those up if it wins.
I suggested more than one main character because it covers more than one POV, but it doesn't have to. It can be a third-person narrative about a gang, team, or other type of group. This would include nonfiction like "The Boys in a Boat" I have not specifically read this one, so let me know if that is wrong.
Anastasia wrote: "There was an episode with the First Nation's Wendigo on X-Files. If it gets in, I may try to find a book about that is related."Not specifically a "wendigo" but a paranormal beast of some sort is suggested in:
Empire of Wild (about a rougarou)
The Sentence (a rougarou is mentioned, but not a main feature of the plot)
Bad Cree (it's called a wheetigo in this one)
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Yes, Boys in the Boat does have multiple characters' stories, as does that authors new book, Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II
Bec wrote: "Ny thoughtsDefinite upvotes
2. A book that plays with perceptions of reality - I have a few books in mind which may be stretching the prompt but I'm okay with that - [book:Three More Months|58263..."
The non-traditional name prompt doesn't specify main character so you could use Sevro. I love the Red Rising series! Are you on book 1? I'm still recovering from book 6 (Light Bringer).
My thoughts and votes:1. A book with a character who could appear on the X-Files - Not excited
2. A book that plays with perceptions of reality - Don't know how I would find
3. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream — current or retired - Love and voted up.
4. A book with rock, paper or scissors on the cover - Interesting. Voted up.
5. A book with more than one main character - Not interested.
6. A book with a chair on the cover - Like cover searches. Voted up.
7. A book where a dream plays a role - Ugh...not sure I want to search for this one.
8. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads - Had good success with a low rating books...Voted up.
9. A book on a summer reading list - like lists...and summer. Voted up.
10. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea - Like reading books in other countries. This one will help me focus on several countries I enjoy. Voted up.
11. A book connected to Anne of Green Gables - Not excited.
12. A book that has a character with a non-traditional name - Same, not excited.
13. A book featuring creatures of the night - Love paranormal and werewolves/vampires are creatures of night. Voted up.
14. A book related to a musical - Seemed like fun. Voted up.
15. A book over 500 pages - not a fan of longer books.
used 8 downvotes, this was my least favorite set of prompts so far.
@Nadine, I have read Empire of Wild. It was good. I tried The Sentence but did not like it. I am going to add Bad Cree to my TBR. Thank you for the suggestions
I voted 5 up 0 down. I voted for Anne because it is Anne. She deserves the praise of being a red-headed orphan from PEI, who has won worldwide recognition.
Charlsa wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "There was an episode with the First Nation's Wendigo on X-Files. If it gets in, I may try to find a book about that is related."Nowhere To Run, one of the books in the Joe Picke..."
Three Day Road links the windigo to WWI and addiction. It was actually the first time I had heard of a windigo.
I'm still thinking about what I'm going to vote for. I like the idea of a dream in a book, but I'm not sure how easy it will be to find. On the other hand, a person with a dream for a better life would cover people who had wanted a prompt about immigration. It would also cover people who fought for civil rights and dream about equality. It would also cover inventors and scientists who dream about new solutions. Etc...
I really love the list this week! I was intending one downvote, but then I saw some really interesting ideas for it that made me feel more positive. So I have entirely upvotes this week, which is nice!Upvotes:
3. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream — current or retired - This is probably my favourite prompt this time. It’s just so fun and creative!
5. A book with more than one main character - As a romance novel lover, this is a very nice one for me.
8. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads - As an obscure romance novel lover, this is also a good one! And I love the incorporation of 2024, that’s a lot of fun.
10. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea - With 21 countries there’s a wide range of interesting options here. I’m currently thinking either a non-fiction book about Egypt, or checking out a crime novel from the area!
11. A book connected to Anne of Green Gables - I have been vaguely meaning to reread Anne of Green Gables… And even if I don’t, there are a lot of fun and creative things you could do with this prompt!
13. A book featuring creatures of the night - Well, we have to have a prompt for halloween week next year! And I do love most of the various creatures of the night. Paranormal romance or horror, this’ll be fun.
14. A book related to a musical - I do love musicals, and this is a great “adjust your own difficulty” prompt. If I feel like an easy route I can go for a “linked to” option, if I feel like a slightly harder challenge I can read one of the many books adapted into a musical. The world is my oyster!
15. A book over 500 pages - Why not? I generally read one (or two) chunky book a year, and filling this would give me a real sense of achievement.
I like the idea of Playing with reality more than dreams. Are there any lists or author suggestions? Mediterranean Sea is my top Upvote. It has easy locations for exotic mysteries, fantasy or romance, and challenging locations that don't fit other prompts. I'll read Master of Djinn or a book about refugees or migrants.
I was so-so on X Files until I saw the book ideas. It's an upvote now.
Summer lists - This is the best list prompt we've had yet, with something for everyone.
Cover prompts - Rock Paper Scissors is more interesting to me than chairs.
Ben & Jerry's, Anne and untraditional names would be OK.
Musicals seem specific to me, not a freebie at all.
Playing with Perceptions of Reality - There were discussions in the Wild Discussion about it. The originators of the idea might have other notes. I can't wait to see what this group comes up with when we make our own listopia.I think it's very creative even though it doesn't have a fun pop-culture link. It doesn't exactly fit any particularly genre, but you can find books in all genres that could fit - including romance, non-fiction, mental illness, or even self-help (how to improve thinking, perception, decision making). It can include books with new twists on alternate realities, double lives, time travel, or other ways people perceive the world.
For those who don't like fantasy at all, you could read a book about something in real life that can affect perceptions of reality - Gaslighting, deception, social media, fake news, persuasion, mind-altering drugs, mental illness, brain disorders, training, political conformity, charismatic speeches, censorship of books or news, perceptual limitations, bias, or reality TV (which is never quite real).
It could include books about:
- Alternative reality, alternative universes. quantum fiction (e.g. Space between worlds)
- Parallel Realities, two worlds, portals
- Fantastical perceptions of real life - e.g. Life of Pi, Big Fish
- A character with two or more possible lives presented in the book. (Maybe in Another Life, Midnight Library, My Real Children)
- Characters who aren't sure if they're seeing something unreal, or going crazy. Some horror, ghost, or mental illness books. It could be in thrillers about victims of gaslighting, drugs, brainwashing.
-Some time travel, fantasy, or urban fantasy - where reality is warped or changed in some way. (e.g. Sea of Tranquility, Recursion)
- books that could be perceived as either fantasy or complete reality, depending on your perceptions - e.g. The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult
- Unreliable narrator, where the reader doesn't know if the character is imagining things, suffering memory loss, not seeing clearly, leaving something out, lying, etc.
- Metafiction
- Virtual reality, simulations
- Reality shows (they warp reality)
I found these lists. They cover some (but not all) of the approaches.
Best Reality Warping Fiction
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Alternate Reality
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Parallel Reality
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Virtual worlds
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Video games and virtual reality
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Metafiction
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Double Life in Dreams
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
Life is a simulation
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Slow Descent into Madness
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Reality checks
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
I went 6 up, 2 down. I voted based on my current reading dissatisfaction state of mind, meaning I'm overwhelmed with reading books I had no intention of reading this year. Therefore, these are the prompts I voted for that are the most flexible in helping me read from my own bookshelves and that will help me not spend so much time looking up possibilities on GR! I'll only list the up votes:A book with more than one main character - I have many books with more than one main character.
A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on GoodReads.
A book on a summer reading list - I purchase so many books based on summer reading lists and since it can be any year, this prompt helps me out a lot!
A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea - I do a world reading challenge and I'm a sucker for setting prompts.
A book connected to Anne of Green Gables - I love the series and can do a reread, or I will read another Canadian classic novel.
A book over 500 pages - I have severely neglected long books on my shelves and those books often are among my absolute favorites.
Some great prompts this time! I love Ben and Jerry’s, X-files, and musical; those are so creative!
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I just finished Braiding Sweetgrass and the wendigo is an important part of it
Sue wrote: The non-traditional name prompt doesn't specify main character so you could use Sevro. I love the Red Rising series! Are you on book 1? I'm still recovering from book 6 (Light Bringer)Yep just beginning on book 1. it was on the audible plus catalogue so I decided to give it a go.
Michelle wrote: "used 8 downvotes, this was my least favorite set of prompts so far."Interesting how we are all so different hey! I have no downvotes this week and would be happy with any one of them.
Anastasia wrote: "@Nadine, I have read Empire of Wild. It was good. I tried The Sentence but did not like it. I am going to add Bad Cree to my TBR. Thank you for the suggestions"I tried the Sentence too and couldn't get into it. It was a DNF for me.
Anastasia wrote: "@Nadine, I have read Empire of Wild. It was good. I tried The Sentence but did not like it. I am going to add Bad Cree to my TBR. Thank you for the suggestions"Actually, while I loved Empire of Wild and The Sentence, I REALLY did not like Bad Cree, it was boring and went no where. But a lot of other readers are loving it!
Around the Year in 52 Books
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I would send a case of B&J to the GR developer who could add a sort and filter function to listopias so I can see which books are on my TBR in a second.