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[2024] Poll 16 Voting
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1. A book by a female or non-binary author which won an award that's also open to male authors
This would not include awards like the Women's Prize for Fiction where men are specifically excluded and would mean the book won against the male authors. An example the following is a list of people who won the Booker - in theory anyone and win but in practice most of its winners, especially until the last decade have been male. This prompt would honor a woman (or non binary author) who beat the odds to win an award in competition with the men.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_...
2. A book with wings on the cover
Wings could be from: birds, insects, angels, airplanes, a wing of a building, bats, certain costumes, fairies, helicopters, pegasus, dragons, Icarus, paragliders, hang-gliders, golden snitch (flying ball used in the game of Quidditch in Harry Potter, for those that have forgotten the terminology)…
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
3. A book with an X connection
Could be in the title, Gen X author, X marks the spot, X-files, XXX erotica etc
4. A book featuring a character in education
e.g. student, teacher, professor etc.
5. A book where at least one character is trapped
This can be due to: kidnapping, lost, stuck in an arranged marriage, trapped due to weather, stranded etc.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
https://booktrib.com/2021/03/02/were-...
6. A book with a nod to weather
7. A book with a character who is marginalized
(gender, orientation, race, ethnicity, economic status, religious affiliation, mental & physical disabilities, etc.)
NOTE: This is very different from the prompt “a book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color.” That prompt only focuses on race and does not require the character to be marginalized for their difference. For example, a happily ever romance with a Black character or a fantasy novel with an Asian cast would fit for BIPOC but not for marginalized.
8. A nonfiction book about a topic you have always wanted to learn about
Very broad prompt can be self-help, someones biography, a textbook, a pop science book, history book, travel guide, humor, social commentary etc.
Best Nonfiction of the 21st Century: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Readable Nonfiction: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
9. A book with a clock on the cover
As a nod to 2024 —> 24 hours in the day
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
10. A book shelved as literary fiction
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/lite...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
11. A book set in a group living situation
Examples: dorm, prison, retirement home, halfway house, nunnery, refugee camp, boarding school, prison camp, monastery, commune, boarding house, brothel, summer camp, army barracks, homeless shelter, Antarctic research station, rehab, international space station, traveling circus, etc.
A few Listopias - Set in a… :
Prison: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Retirement Home: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Boarding School: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Monasteries/Convents: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Cult/Commune: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
12. A book featuring a person who works in one the jobs that Barbie has had
13. A book involving politics, public service, or publicity at any level
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/poli...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/poli...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/publ...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/publ...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/poli...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
14. A book that is between 400-600 pages
15. A book with a character who has an alter ego
Alter ego can cover a lot of genres. Superhero, spies, fantasy, contemporary
I need help understanding alter ego. I know that by definition it means "a person's secondary or alternative personality." I understand that it's something like Bruce Wayne/Batman or Clark Kent/Superman. But how does it apply to book characters, aside from superheroes?
13. A book involving politics, public service, or publicity at any level.2024 is a presidential election year in the US, and Trump's legal battles dominate the news here. Economics, nationalism, climate, war, and refugees are influencing legislation and political campaigns all around world. Politics occurs in all organizations at all levels, including schools, businesses, unions, entertainment and service organizations.
You can read about current issues, such as immigration, gender politics, education, and race relations. You could read about aspects of power and politics at any time in history, in all genres, including fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, and especially books about royalty.
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/poli...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/poli...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/publ...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/publ...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/poli...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
dalex wrote: "I need help understanding alter ego. I know that by definition it means "a person's secondary or alternative personality." I understand that it's something like Bruce Wayne/Batman or Clark Kent/Sup..."I’m having the same problem. I’m concerned it’s just a code for read a Super Hero book. I really want to be wrong
Pearl wrote: "2024 is a presidential election year in the US, so we need a slot for a book about politics."It's election year in the UK too. And according to Wikipedia elections are also due in Taiwan, Finland, El Salvador, Indonesia, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Panama, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Uruguay, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Slovakia, India, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Moldova, Georgia, Venezuela, and Romania, as well as the EU elections.
But this is why I have no desire to have a prompt for it, I'll be subjected to quite enough politics as it is.
I don't really understand why publicity is tacked on the end either.
Can we get some discussion about what "a nod to the weather" means?
Emily wrote: "It's now time to get ready to vote for our next set of prompts! The thread will be open for at least 24 hours before the poll gets posted. This is a good opportunity to ask any question you may hav..."Emily, the text about the timing of this poll needs to be updated... it uses the dates for poll 15
Nadine in NY wrote: "Can we get some discussion about what "a nod to the weather" means?"Agree. The "nod" part is really baffling me.
Yes, it's a rare book that doesn't have a nod or mention of the weather at some point.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Can we get some discussion about what "a nod to the weather" means?"I think it's just a way of saying related to for the purpose of the prompt. It means a thing is referencing the thing it's nodding to.
I'm unfamiliar with the phrase "with a nod to" but I'm guessing it means "had something to do with"?
Here are some lists with suggestions for a book featuring a character in educationSchool novels https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Boarding schools
https://bookriot.com/books-set-in-boa...
Dark Academia
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Campus novels
https://lithub.com/the-60-best-campus...
Featuring teachers
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
I think, the nod to weather means it is important rather than just casual reference. It is one I’m neutral on, there are a few I really like and several I hope do not end up in the top.
Kat wrote: "Here are some lists with suggestions for a book featuring a character in education..."I much prefer this to the child character one from last week. I love dark academia and I think most of the YA I read these days is at the older age of the range and therefore they don't really feel like child characters. This wording means I don't need to worry about if they count as children or not.
I would say it is anyway you want it to be.
dalex wrote: "I need help understanding alter ego. I know that by definition it means "a person's secondary or alternative personality." I understand that it's something like Bruce Wayne/Batman or Clark Kent/Sup..."Are alter ego and secret identity the same thing? I've managed to confuse myself.
It could be people using an online persona. This crops in some romances when a character is speaking to someone online and don't know who they are. It could be used in crime as well if they are conning someone.
There are quite a few fantasy books where a lost king, princess etc. uses a different name to avoid detection.
I think alter ego could include people working undercover, for example as a spy or a detective.Maybe also an actor playing a role? Or a stage persona like a magician or psychic?
To me, giving a nod to something means a sign of approval, and perhaps even that the thing I'm doing now is in homage to that thing I'm giving a nod to. But "a book in approval of the weather" doesn't make sense. Does it mean "weather is important to the plot"? or "weather is mentioned in the plot but not necessarily critical"? or does it mean "cli fi"? or perhaps it means "about a natural disaster"? or something else??Debbie made the suggestion, I'm hoping she comes here to add clarity.
I think I'll upvote:1) A book by a female or non-binary author who won an award that is also open to men
2) A book with wings on the cover
4) A book featuring a character in education
5) A book where at least one character is trapped
6) A book with a nod to weather
7) A book with a character who is marginalized
9) A book with a clock on the cover
10) A book shelved as literary fiction
11) A book set in a group living situation
And now I see that I'm not the only one who was wondering about "the nod" so you I won't need an answer on that one. 🙂
Perhaps the weather prompt needs to be clarified and reworded before voting opens. Right now it's on my downvote list. A rewording could easily change that.
dalex wrote: "I need help understanding alter ego. I know that by definition it means "a person's secondary or alternative personality." I understand that it's something like Bruce Wayne/Batman or Clark Kent/Sup..."Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is the classic example of an alter ego and there is no superhero there.
I guess it can be about a person that leads a secret life. Like an average person that also is working under cover and not even her or his family knows about it. Or someone who is secretly living out their hidden sexuality, like someone who is homosexual in a country where it's forbidden and is in a heterosexual marriage for show.
dalex wrote: "I need help understanding alter ego. I know that by definition it means "a person's secondary or alternative personality." I understand that it's something like Bruce Wayne/Batman or Clark Kent/Sup..."the manga Spy x Family, Vol. 1 would be a good example of spies or espionage with alter egos. they go undercover.
sleeper cells, serial killers all have the alter ego vibe.
Am I Actually the Strongest? Vol 1 is a isekai fantasy where the mc has an alter ego of Shiva the guardian of justice.
contemporary romances and other novels have people pretending to be regular people but are billionaires or hiding their identity for some reason.
there's also witness protection crime novels. finding out people are not who they say they are.
we could even say that Dissociative Identity Disorder should be included in this category.
there's also the identity theft.
Lovesick Ellie, Vol. 1 is a prime example of a secret personality using technology. maybe having a pirate radio program where the character in real life is nothing like their persona on it.
Kat wrote: "There are quite a few fantasy books where a lost king, princess etc. uses a different name to avoid detection."But isn't that an assumed identity? Or, are assumed identity and alter ego the same?
Verity wrote: "I think alter ego could include people working undercover, for example as a spy or a detective.
I can see an undercover detective being similar to a superhero. One identity when they're working, another identity for their "real" life. Of course, I can't think of a single book on my TBR List that has an undercover detective so ....
ETA Thanks, Mandy, for the additional insights. We were typing at the same time, I think.
Oooh! so many good ones...gonna have 8 upvotes-no down (I think)
Alter ego examples from the classics include the Count of Monte Cristo and the character Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair. Becky plays the role of a proper lady in society but it’s all an act. I like wings on the cover, literary fiction, education, nonfiction, and X (Gen X author or supernatural event (X-flies)).
Mandy wrote: "dalex wrote: "I need help understanding alter ego. I know that by definition it means "a person's secondary or alternative personality." I understand that it's something like Bruce Wayne/Batman or ..."I wasn't one way or the other about Alter Ego until we started discussing what could fit in here. I've been trying to find a way to fit in Pageboy by Elliot Page — his memoir about being trans, and the special difficulties he experienced when his public persona (at the time) was being an adored actrESS, first known for playing the part of a pregnant teenager! I can't imagine how hard that must have been.
I think a book involving a character/person who is trans, especially dealing with the part of their life before they let it be known, would fit this prompt.
I was planning on storm-related for "raining cats and dogs", so I think weather will be a down vote for me this time.I like this version of an award prompt, although it will require a bit more research than usual. I'm OK with that for some prompts as long as it isn't too many!
There are only two suggestions that I strongly want - otherwise downvotes or neutral.
dalex wrote: "I need help understanding alter ego. I know that by definition it means "a person's secondary or alternative personality." I understand that it's something like Bruce Wayne/Batman or Clark Kent/Sup..."I think it's probably most common now online. "Dalex" could be called your alter ego. It reveals only part of you, disguising even your gender.
@Dalex I was thinking of serial killers like Dexter or spies who hide their identity from loved ones. It could also be undercover police officers.
I like the internet connection as well. @Tracy, your take as transgender person is interesting, too. Hiding your true self in a society that does not accept you is definitely an alter ego situation.
This is a really good list. I am thinking I will up-vote the following:2.) A book with wings on the cover.
3.) A book with an X connection (I am a GenXer myself, so will probably read a book by an author from my generation)
7.) A book with a character who is marginalized (I agree this is different from BIPOC, though there may be some overlap)
10.) A book shelved as literary fiction (This is most of what I read, so this is a good prompt to sneak in something on my TBR that does not meet other prompts)
11.) A book set in a group living situation (This has been mentioned before at some point and I like it - could encompass academia, which is why I probably won't vote for both #4 and #11)
That's at least 5 up-votes for me. I am curious about the Barbie prompt. Is there a list anywhere of the jobs? It might be fun, but I would need more info.
I may downvote politics (because I get plenty of politics in real life and I enjoy my books to be escapist) or a nod to weather (I think one might be too easy unless I chose to make harder by limiting it to weather element on the cover or in the title.) I don't know. We'll see...
I just finished Dan Chaon's book Await Your Reply. One of the characters in the book has multiple alter egos. And it was a really good book!
Nike wrote: "I'm unfamiliar with the phrase "with a nod to" but I'm guessing it means "had something to do with"?"LeahS wrote: "Yes, it's a rare book that doesn't have a nod or mention of the weather at some point."
In this context it means acknowledging the weather in some way.
Mod
I think they're trying to avoid the dreaded "related to"
I'll say, quite a few of these I feel I'm planning prompt fatigued by. How many times has some version of the X prompt or weather in voting? I know they've not bottomed...
For the nod to the weather prompt, I suppose you could also use a book in which a pivotal scene hinges on, or is characterized by, the weather: a perfect kiss in the rain, a meet-cute due to slipping on a patch of ice, someone getting lost in a storm, something happening only because a character decided the weather was too good to stay home... Plus cli-fi and the like of course.For the alter ego, Spoiler Alert or All the Feels by Olivia Dade would work perfectly -- both feature actors in a mega hit TV show using online alter egos to write fan fiction. Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood, too -- the main character runs a science blog.
Lots of good ideas this time around :)
Shannon wrote: "This is a really good list. I am thinking I will up-vote the following:2.) A book with wings on the cover.
3.) A book with an X connection (I am a GenXer myself, so will probably read a book by a..."
Re: #4 versus #11 - you could use #4 for academia (obviously), but there are plenty of other group living situation for #11. Or if you really like the academic setting, maybe choose 2 different age groups (one a boarding school for younger students, one a university setting), or maybe #4 for a story that focuses on the education/class setting, and #11 the social life in the dorms?
And there is a Wikipedia page dedicated to Barbie's careers - organized in two ways: by job category (arts, science, etc.) and by year. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie%...
Mod
#8 is a twist on the prompt I was going to nominate for this week, so good thinking #8 nominator!
Ooo- and I just realized I could read one of my hundreds of airplane books for wings!
Tracy wrote: "Mandy wrote: "dalex wrote: "I need help understanding alter ego. I know that by definition it means "a person's secondary or alternative personality." I understand that it's something like Bruce Wa..."it would also fit the non novel prompt since it is a bio or memoir
Anastasia wrote: "I like the internet connection as well. @Tracy, your take as transgender person is interesting, too. Hiding your true self in a society that does not accept you is definitely an alter ego situation."there's also the fact that many gay/bi men in the golden age of hollywood would hide their orientation as well.
Shannon wrote: "This is a really good list. I am thinking I will up-vote the following:2.) A book with wings on the cover.
3.) A book with an X connection (I am a GenXer myself, so will probably read a book by a..."
yes. it should be listed in one of the other polls, i think. we voted or discussed it in wild discussion earlier.
Shannon wrote: "I am curious about the Barbie prompt. Is there a list anywhere of the jobs? It might be fun, but I would need more info. .."Barbie has had hundreds of jobs.
Buzzfeed tried* to list every one: https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexalisitza...
And wikipedia has a cleaner text-only list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie%...
*I think Buzzfeed left a few out
Mod
Barbie has had so many jobs that it seems like a freebie.
I agree. There is so much I don't like this in this round of suggestions, but I am obviously in a minority.
Trying to put “gays when it was illegal” and “Batman” in the same box labeled alter ego hurts my brain (and my heart).
I think I’ll have all downvotes this week. For #1, wouldn’t that be almost all award winning female writers? A large majority of awards are open to men.
Not a big fan of this version of the nonfiction book. It’s been done a lot and the nonfiction I read isn’t necessarily something I’ve “always wanted to learn about”.
The Barbie one is very broad.
The politics one is a no from me because I’ll read enough news stories on it. Also, not sure how publicity fits into that.
For a character that is marginalized, I feel like this is present in almost all books with women, LGBT, and different ethnicities. There is always at least something that focuses on them being "different"
And “nod to weather” is weird because every book mentions weather. But I also have weather prompt fatigue.
An alter ego is a different personality from one's normal personality. For instance, comedians are often quite people or introverts offstage, but onstage their personality completely changes.
Initial thoughts:1. A book by a female or non-binary author which won an award that's also open to male authors
Upvote. I like this one a lot. I would definitely look for a nonbinary author for an extra challenge.
2. A book with wings on the cover
Upvote. This is common enough to fit any genre while still being a challenge.
3. A book with an X connection
Upvote. I've upvoted every "X" prompt so far and you can't stop me now!
4. A book featuring a character in education
Meh. I don't think I'd have a hard time finding something for this, I'm just not excited about it.
5. A book where at least one character is trapped
Meh. Same as above.
6. A book with a nod to weather
Downvote. Too vague in my opinion.
7. A book with a character who is marginalized
Potential upvote. I like it enough that if I have votes leftover, I would vote for this.
8. A nonfiction book about a topic you have always wanted to learn about
Meh. I read nonfiction that I'm interested in already. I think it's more fun to fit them into other categories. For example, I'm considering reading Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup for the "Read a book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world" prompt.
9. A book with a clock on the cover
Upvote. I feel very similarly about this and wings.
10. A book shelved as literary fiction
Downvote. I hate genre prompts. If I wanted to read a specific genre, I would.
11. A book set in a group living situation
Upvote, I think.
12. A book featuring a person who works in one the jobs that Barbie has had
The Barbie jobs thing is easy, but she's had so many that this kinda feels like "read a book". I'll probably just not vote for this either way.
13. A book involving politics, public service, or publicity at any level
As previously discussed, 2024 is an election year in the US and I live in a swing state. Downvote.
14. A book that is between 400-600 pages
Meh - I read a lot of fantasy so long books aren't anything special.
15. A book with a character who has an alter ego
Alter egos could be interesting. A lot of mysteries, thrillers, and definitely some fantasy (i.e. Shallan from The Stormlight Archive immediately comes to mind) would easily fill this. Maybe upvote.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Velveteen Rabbit (other topics)Gone Girl (other topics)
Pride and Prejudice (other topics)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (other topics)
Emma (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Eowyn Ivey (other topics)Elliot Page (other topics)
Elliot Page (other topics)
Voting will open in the morning of Saturday, September 30 and results will be posted in the morning of Wednesday, October 4 (CST time).
How it works:
- When the voting opens, follow the link to the mini-poll that will be added at the end of this post
- You have a total of 8 votes this poll to spread across your favorite and least favorite prompts (you can also use less than 8 votes)
- You can find examples of acceptable voting practices on the Introduction thread.
- The prompts with the more favorable votes (comparing top votes to bottom votes, and looking at the overall number of votes it received) will be added to the final list
We are asking people to include their Goodreads profile address when they vote. To find this, just go to your own profile and then copy the URL/web address. If for some reason you can't link to your Goodreads profile, please post your full Goodreads name with enough identifiable information that we'll be able to access your profile.
Possible Prompts:
1. A book by a female or non-binary author which won an award that's also open to male authors
2. A book with wings on the cover
3. A book with an X connection
4. A book featuring a character in education
5. A book where at least one character is trapped
6. A book with a nod to weather
7. A book with a character who is marginalized
8. A nonfiction book about a topic you have always wanted to learn about
9. A book with a clock on the cover
10. A book shelved as literary fiction
11. A book set in a group living situation
12. A book featuring a person who works in one the jobs that Barbie has had
13. A book involving politics, public service, or publicity at any level
14. A book that is between 400-600 pages
15. A book with a character who has an alter ego
Feel free to discuss the prompts below, but please remember to be respectful to the other group members.
VOTE HERE: https://forms.gle/zbrZmwDSyZ3gNHdt9