[2024] Poll 13 Voting

[Nike]

Judy wrote: "LeahS wrote: "Nike wrote: "I have previously not been aware of any difference between historical novels and historical fiction. Now I do

Would you (or anyone else) mind pointing me in the directi..."

Maybe it was. Look at the messages above and below but it was that message which made me rethink the whole idea of historical fiction

[Nike]

Ellie wrote: "Also a cute blog post on why The Addams Family (90's one) is actually about the importance of books:
https://lithub.com/the-addams-family-..."

Lovely article!

[dalex]

Emily wrote: "I think you have it backwards, dalex. It's more of a novel that masquerades as a how to guide. Think How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (but book form)."

Oh!

So another way to word it would be "a novel with a misleading title that implies that it's a guide or how-to manual"?

[Tracy]

dalex wrote: "For the "A book related to Going for the Gold” prompt, two additional options are the Historical Writer's Association Gold Crown Award and the Golden Tentacle Award (speculative fiction).

I'm not ..."

Thanks for these options Dalex. I especially like the Golden Tentacle (if for nothing else, its name — although I do really like it's for books that are "progressive, intelligent and entertaining").

[Joy D]

"Jackie wrote: "Oh Addams family I'm thinking of leaning into gothic, large family in a creepy house vibes. Anybody have some good recs that involve a loving family? Cuz most of mine are more murder..."

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

[Joanne]

Here are some links for #14- A historical fiction book that takes place before the 20th Century

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

https://shereads.com/must-read-gilded...

https://shepherd.com/best-books/milit...

https://sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/li...

I think there really is something for everyone on this subject

[Amanda]

We already have "a history or historical fiction book" for next year, so that's a down for me. I think a book with a reference work or disguised as a guide or manual are basically the same thing and will also be downs.

I love cozy mysteries, so that's an up, but I honestly don't expect it to get through. Addams Family and "going for the gold" are both ups as well.

[Jill]

At first glance I would like to read all the subjects listed for the Adam's Family. Now I'm thinking 5 up and 3 down, but will continue looking

[Nike]

Joanne wrote: "Here are some links for #14- A historical fiction book that takes place before the 20th Century

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

https://shereads.com/must-read-gil..."

But there is Huckleberry Finn for example in the last of those lists, and if it was a contemporary story when it was written it shouldn't be called Historical Fiction but a Historical Novel. So those lists may not be accurate. According to what I've learned to day.

[Ellie]

The historical fiction prompt kinda feels like a BIO version of the prompt we have already voted in for history/historical fiction. It would have been better for me as the time period without the genre restriction.

[Juliet]

Huckleberry Finn wasn’t contemporary when it was written, it is set 20 or so years before , so as much historical fiction as a novel set in the 1990s and published today would be

[Shannon SA]

Thomas wrote: "I disagree with the idea that the character has to amateur I think it’s more about how deep, generally cozy crime motives are things like money which don’t make the killer sympathetic"

Definition of a cozy mystery from Wikipedia:

"Cozy mysteries, also referred to as "cozies", are a subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence occur off stage, the detective is an amateur sleuth, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community."

[Shannon SA]

Nike wrote: "Shannon SA wrote: "Chrissy - not imho - for example, as I understand it -
8 - Cloud Atlas doesn't suggest a "how to"
11 - A Cat's Guide to Training Your Dragon does suggest a "how to""

Excuse me, ..."

Sorry Nike, - In My Humble Opinion :)

[Shannon SA]

dalex wrote: "For the "A book related to Going for the Gold” prompt, two additional options are the Historical Writer's Association Gold Crown Award and the Golden Tentacle Award (speculative fiction).

I'm not ..."

Thank you Dalex, I'll definitely have a look at the Gold Crown Award

[GailW]

I was going to do The It Girl for the Addams Family prompt. (Cousin It). Think that's in keeping with the prompt? I'm trying to not buy any books next year and read everything off my shelves (hahahahahahahahahaha)

[Nadine in NY]

Jackie wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Mandy wrote: "i think is the first time i might have more downvotes than upvotes.
"
..."



Mandy wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Mandy wrote: "i think is the first time i might have more downvotes than upvotes.
..."




Ellie wrote: "Thanks to the Netflix show, there's quite a few lists about books for Wednesday fans floating about on the internet that might help with inspiration for The Addams Family:

https://www.buzzfeed.com..."




Thank you!!! After going through all those lists, it seems so obvious now, I don't know why I was having a block. I'm definitely an upvote now, there are quite a few books I'm excited to read for this one.

[GailW]

Just in case anyone is browsing the Booker Prize website from the prompt above: be sure to not be lazy like me and just look for book covers. Very few of them are what we are used to seeing. I couldn't believe that I didn't have any and hadn't read any. When I finally caught myself and made myself pay attention I had read 27 and have 19!

[Heather L]

Jackie wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Mandy wrote: "i think is the first time i might have more downvotes than upvotes.

the only one i'm excited about is the Addams family."


What do you recommend for "Addams fa..."


I think We Have Always Lived in the Castle would also fit.

[Mandy]

Nadine in NY wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Mandy wrote: "i think is the first time i might have more downvotes than upvotes.
"
glad i could help. i just kind of went through to find stuff that had the creepy, death, witchy, etc. vibe.

frankenstein is there because (netflix) wednesday wanted to write and publish a book before mary shelley.

[dalex]

Gail W wrote: "Just in case anyone is browsing the Booker Prize website from the prompt above: be sure to not be lazy like me and and just look for book covers. Very few of them are what we are used to seeing.

It's a UK-based prize so they are the UK covers (which, imo, are usually infinitely better than the US covers).

Sometimes I'll deliberately order a UK edition just because I prefer it so much. (And then if I add it to a listopia it usually gets changed which makes me sad.)

[Nike]

Juliet Brown wrote: "Huckleberry Finn wasn’t contemporary when it was written, it is set 20 or so years before , so as much historical fiction as a novel set in the 1990s and published today would be"

But in the definition it says that 50 years must have passed, not just 20.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

[Anastasia]

:) Thank you, the person who suggested a bilingual character. That was on my list to suggest..

[Sue]

I have a question on prompt 12. It says a prompt used in a previous year. Is the intention that these are previous ATY prompts? I see the links are to previous ATY lists, but since the prompt doesn't specify, I wanted to get clarification.

[Dixie]

Sue wrote: "I have a question on prompt 12. It says a prompt used in a previous year. Is the intention that these are previous ATY prompts? I see the links are to previous ATY lists, but since the prompt doesn..."

Yes, previous ATY prompts.

[Heather L]

Chiming in to help sway those uncertain about voting for a cozy mystery. As others have said, they primarily feature an amateur sleuth and a small town setting, but not always. Cleo Coyle has a popular coffee shop series set in New York City, but what makes it a cozy is emphasis on the community/neighborhood in which it’s set.

While most are contemporary novels that feature animals, crafts, bookshops/libraries, or food, not all do. There are also paranormal and historical cozies.

For those who prefer literary or historical fiction I would recommend such authors as Tasha Alexander, Victoria Thompson, Alyssa Maxwell, Rhys Bowen, Andrea Penrose, Emily Brightwell, Jacqueline Winspear or Amanda Carmack — for starters.

If you want to go old-school, I would suggest Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Georgette Heyer, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Jacques Futrelle or Ngaio Marsh.

There are books based on popular TV series, including Murder, She Wrote, Psych, and Diagnosis Murder, but also numerous series featured on the Hallmark Mysteries channel based on popular cozies, such as Agatha Raisin or the Aurora Teagarden series.

I will also say that while the majority of cozies are by female authors, there are plenty written by men, though a few may write using a female pseudonym or write with a wife or sister. These would include Aaron Elkins, John J. Lamb, Alex Erickson, Lee Hollis, Robin Paige, Alexander McCall Smith, Alan Bradley, Miranda James, Chris Cavender, and Jim Lavene.

There are two groups here on GR dedicated to cozy mysteries, both of which feature monthly group reads and a group bookshelf you can browse.

Cozy Mysteries
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Cozy Mystery Corner
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Chrissy]

I get that the two prompts related to guides/reference are slanted differently, but the Venn diagram of the two has a pretty big overlap so I expect most people would be unhappy with both getting through to the list. The combined wording suggested early in this thread would have my vote for sure, but I’m worried that confusion and competition between the two makes it unlikely that either will get voted in, or have a chance in a future round. :(

[Thomas]

Chrissy wrote: "I get that the two prompts related to guides/reference are slanted differently, but the Venn diagram of the two has a pretty big overlap so I expect most people would be unhappy with both getting t..."

Perhaps if they both don't get those who suggested will collaborate next time

[Thomas]

Upvote
Going for Gold
Second book that fits favourite
Previous challenge
Historical fiction before 1900
Downvote
8 and 11 too similar and too close to one we bottomed IMO
Addams family (nevwr liked that show)

[Bec]

Ellie wrote: "The historical fiction prompt kinda feels like a BIO version of the prompt we have already voted in for history/historical fiction. It would have been better for me as the time period without the g..."

I agree.

On first look for me I would like to upvote:
* ATY group member gave 5 stars
* bilingual character
*nominated for goodreads choice award
*longlisted for booker prize

and downvote:\
* historical fiction bfore 20th centrury - as we already have historical fiction on the list
*refrence work in title - I've read the dictionary of lost words and enjoyed it, but nothing else on my list with a reference word
*novel disguised as guide or manual - again, nothing on my TBR or anything I really want to read in this category.

[Thomas]

Will also downvote goodreads choice on principle

[Thomas]

Nike wrote: "Agatha Christie's crime novels are cozy."

Well apparently not given Poirot is a professional and according to wiki that invalidates the cozy

[Rachel]

First impressions, even before reading through the threads:

1. A book with a warm or heated atmosphere - I like this a lot. Most likely an upvote.

2. A book another ATY group member gave 5 stars - Not an upvote, but probably not a downvote either.

3. A second book that fits your favorite prompt - Unpopular opinion, but likely a downvote for me. I have enough reading challenges on the go that I don't need to reuse the same prompts to fit in the books I want

4. A book with a bilingual character - Slight prompt fatigue since I've had many prompts relating to language/characters using other languages/etc, recently, but probably won't downvote

5. A book related to the Addams Family - This was my idea, so obviously going to upvote. Thanks Ellie for getting it onto the list! I'm not sure how well it will do, but it will at least make it onto my own rejects challenge if nothing else.

6. A book related to “Going for the Gold” - Still love this and have voted for it every time

7. A book nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award - I prefer when it's limited to a single year, but I can just add that limitation myself. I'd upvote, but only if I have an extra vote to use

8. A fiction book with a reference work in the title - Very strong maybe, I'd need to look at my options

9. A book set in a group living situation - I like this a lot too, but again, would need to see some options

10. A book with a divided, or split, cover - Loved this the first time it came up and was disappointed it didn't make it. Definite upvote.

11. A novel disguised as a guide or manual - Maybe. I have a few books that would fit but I'm planning to read most of them this year, so I'd have to see what else is out there.

12. A book for a prompt that was used in a previous year - I would inevitably end up turning this into a multiweek for myself and choosing one from each list. But, I'm not sure I want it strongly enough to vote for it

13. A book longlisted for a Booker Prize - Downvote for me. I browsed through several pages of the site and saw maybe 3 books that I'm actively interested in reading, and two of those were not even a very strong interest.

14. A historical fiction book that takes place before the 20th Century - Downvote mostly on the grounds that we already have a similar prompt.

15. A cozy mystery - Might downvote or might leave neutral. I'm not a big fan of cozy mysteries and I think it could easily be covered under the warm atmosphere prompt which I like much better

[Alicia]

Thanks NancyJ for suggesting warm atmosphere. I've been running like crazy all day.

For those that like cozy mysteries, warm atmosphere can cover those. Similar to the chilling atmosphere prompt which can include thrillers, horror, etc, I had intended warm atmosphere to cover cozy books or books that just make you feel warm and fuzzy.

I for some reason love books with "guide" in the title as well as encyclopedia. I do think at the end of the day they are basically the same prompt, but reference title is broader so I'll upvote that.

I love Addams Family. I've dressed up as Wednesday every year for the past 15-ish years. This is the first year I won't and I'm going as Daisy Duck to match my daughter's Minnie Mouse. Oh how my life has changed.

Also will upvote Going for Gold and Goodreads choice. My other 3 votes will probably be downvotes

[Rachel]

Mandy wrote: "i think is the first time i might have more downvotes than upvotes.

the only one i'm excited about is the Addams family."

Glad to see another Addams family fan!

[Rachel]

Joy D wrote: ""Jackie wrote: "Oh Addams family I'm thinking of leaning into gothic, large family in a creepy house vibes. Anybody have some good recs that involve a loving family? Cuz most of mine are more murde..."

Yes, absolutely! I was just about to recommend that too.

There are several directions I would suggest for an Addams Family-related book, depending on how you'd want to connect it. If you're going by overall vibes, anything Gothic should work. If you're looking for the family angle, look for large families or even found families could work well. The Addams Family is pretty accepting of anyone!

I saw someone above mentioned that it's challenging to get a close-knit family since many books with larger/eccentric families go the murder route. That's definitely true. For example, I was thinking Daisy Darker because of overall atmosphere and it has a relatively large extended family, but it's definitely much darker than the Addamses!

So happy to see a ton of great recommendations above! I was fully expecting the prompt to be unpopular because it's another pop culture one.

[Rachel]

Gail W wrote: "I was going to do The It Girl for the Addams Family prompt. (Cousin It). Think that's in keeping with the prompt? I'm trying to not buy any books next year and read everything off ..."

Absolutely! If anyone needs other character names, although I'd imagine these are harder to spin off from:

- Gomez
- Morticia
- Wednesday
- Pugsley
- Pubert (the baby, only exists in The Addams Family Values)
- Uncle Fester
- Thing (he's the disembodied hand)
- Lurch (the butler)
- Grandma (in some versions, her name is given as Eudora)
- Ophelia (Morticia's sister - present in the TV series)
- Cousin Itt

[Charlsa]

Tracy wrote: "The links provided for #4 - A book with a bilingual character - have nothing to do with this topic. Maybe this Listopia can be inserted instead (it’s the only one I found in Listopias): https://www..."

Thanks for finding the link. That is the GR link I posted when I suggested the prompt. This is the other one. It's a list of YA books with bilingual characters.

https://austin.bibliocommons.com/list...

[Tracy]

Thanks Charlsa - good to have a working link now.

[Charlsa]

NancyJ wrote: "Courtney wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "I'm never really sure what a "cozy mystery" is, but it seems that if there is food involved, it's considered "cozy," is that accurate? [author:Vivien Chien|167..."

I've read all the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mysteries, and I definitely would not consider them cozy mysteries. They aren't amateur detectives. The themes tend to be heavier than in a cozy mystery.

I think of cozy mysteries as series such as:

Death of a Gossip (Hamish Macbeth, #1) by M.C. Beaton Hamish MacBeth Series. - She also writes the Agatha Raisin series

Aunt Dimity's Death (Aunt Dimity Mystery, #1) by Nancy Atherton Aunt Dimity

Death by Darjeeling (A Tea Shop Mystery, #1) by Laura Childs - A Tea Shop Mystery is the series

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen, #1) by Joanne Fluke

[Dubhease]

First thoughts

A book with a warm or heated atmosphere - upvote! I love the contrast to chilling atmosphere

A book another ATY group member gave 5 stars - I guess I don't see why this is better than ATY best books of the month. Some readers give a ton of books 5 stars and I tend to mark like a Russian figure skating judge

A second book that fits your favorite prompt - I regret I can only upvote this once. I did a second rejected prompt this year and I loved it.

A book related to the Addams Family - I'm always down for Pop culture and I love the Addams - upvote!

A book related to “Going for the Gold” - a strong maybe. It has good options

A book nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award - I automatically downvote this prompt every year. I can't stand their "Awards"

A book set in a group living situation - I really like the options on this.

A book with a divided, or split, cover - Did we have this before? I don't think I have a single book on my TBR with this picky cover qurik.

A book longlisted for a Booker Prize - I love this prompt. A much better list prompt than Goodreads.

A historical fiction book that takes place before the 20th Century - Don't we already have a a historical fiction book? Why do we need two prompts about the same genre?

A cozy mystery - I would have upvoted mystery (since we have SF and historical fiction), but double restrictions (like own voices SF, or a romance with a fat lead, or mystery but only if its cozy) drive me crazy.

[Mandy]

Rachel wrote: "Mandy wrote: "i think is the first time i might have more downvotes than upvotes.

the only one i'm excited about is the Addams family."

Glad to see another Addams family fan!"

I like creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky

[NancyJ]

Dubhease wrote: "First thoughts

A book with a warm or heated atmosphere - upvote! I love the contrast to chilling atmosphere

A book another ATY group member gave 5 stars - I guess I don't see why this is better t..."

I feel the same way about most of these. I also like the bilingual prompt, and I want to look at the list of old prompts too.

I'm guilty of giving generous ratings, but I like to think it's because I'm more careful in picking books than I used to be. If you rate books like the Russian Figure skating judges, does that mean you only give high ratings to Russian books? haha. I hope the aty best books of the month prompt gets in. I think some traditional favorites might not get in until the end.

I'm not sure about the Addam's family prompt, though I do have fond memories of the series.

[Alicia]

Another cozy mystery sub genre I’m really into us regency/Victorian mystery novels. I’ve noticed an increase in those type of mysteries and romances and I’m all for it

[Nike]

Thomas wrote: "Nike wrote: "Agatha Christie's crime novels are cozy."

Well apparently not given Poirot is a professional and according to wiki that invalidates the cozy"

Miss Marple is not a professional.

[Nike]

Rachel wrote: "Mandy wrote: "i think is the first time i might have more downvotes than upvotes.

the only one i'm excited about is the Addams family."

Glad to see another Addams family fan!"

As you may not have noticed, I've expressed my love for them several times now! When I was s child I watched the black and white TV-series and I've wanted to be Morticia ever since. 🖤

[LeahS]

Mulling over:

1. A book with a warm or heated atmosphere
An upvote, I think

2. A book another ATY group member gave 5 stars
Neutral on this one

3. A second book that fits your favorite prompt
An upvote

4. A book with a bilingual character
An upvote

5. A book related to the Addams Family
I would upvote this if I had enough votes.

6. A book related to “Going for the Gold”
An upvote

7. A book nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award
No strong feelings

8. A fiction book with a reference work in the title
Neutral

9. A book set in a group living situation
An upvote

10. A book with a divided, or split, cover
Neutral

11. A novel disguised as a guide or manual
A downvote.

12. A book for a prompt that was used in a previous year
This is useful so would upvote

13. A book longlisted for a Booker Prize
A possible

14. A historical fiction book that takes place before the 20th Century
I like historical fiction but we have had a similar prompt voted in

15. A cozy mystery
I don't think writers like Christie are particularly cosy - I find her very cold, and I don't like romance/mystery combinations.

[Ellie]

I'm reading Happy Place at the moment and the main character reads a lot of cozy mysteries, so they're doing a great job of explaining things:

“I’m sure that wasn’t your first antler impalement. I’ve seen your library books.”
“It’s different,” I hiss, drawing back to peer at him through the dark. “Those are cozy.”
“That just means whoever finds the body has a boring job and wears sweater-vests.”

Also another character really likes mushroom books and someone just mentioned Margaritaville. I think we should invite Emily Henry to this group 🤣

[Trish, Annular Mod]

If the "Another ATY group member gave five stars" prompt gets in, would it be possible to build a listopia, which everyone can add one or two recent five star books to?

That would be easier than having to trawl through either all of our individual bookshelves, or the book of the month threads, to find something. We'd know by default that if the book is on the list, then one of us gave it five stars.

[Sonia]

As the person who suggested "A fiction novel disguised as a guide" which people are saying is similar to 'A fiction book with a reference work in the title" and I do agree that they are similar but please don't not vote for either just because they are similar. I am happy to withdraw my suggestion, or i ask that you please Vote for Number 8. I am unlikely to put in another suggestion in the next round as I live in Australia and mostly the times that polling happens is in the middle of the night for me. And polling happens soooo FAST! And this was one of the first times that I was able to submit.

[Sonia]

Trish wrote: "If the "Another ATY group member gave five stars" prompt gets in, would it be possible to build a listopia, which everyone can add one or two recent five star books to?

That would be easier than ..."
Yes! That makes a lot of sense!