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[2024] Poll 16 Voting
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Emily, Conterminous Mod
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Sep 29, 2023 11:31AM
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The link for a book with wings on the cover is wrong. It is best books of 2008 link.@Emily, this is the correct link. Or at least it is a link to books with wings on the cover. I'm assuming this is the link the prompt suggester intended.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
Thanks for finding this link problem Charlsa. The link was correct to start. It must have gotten broken with various copy/paste operations.
At first glance I had 8 downvotes. When I looked through the possibilities I had more than 8 upvotes but this is how I'm leaning:A book with wings on the cover. I was at the library yesterday and there was a display shelf of books about birds which essentially was wings on the cover. I made note in case this prompt makes it in.
A book with X connection. I like Generation X authors.
A book featuring a character in education.
A book where a character is trapped (I saw many books on the list that I own or want to read).
A book by a character who is marginalized.
A nonfiction book about a topic you have wanted to learn about. I participate in Nonfiction November and I liked the lists. I'll always vote for a nonfiction prompt.
A book set in a group living situation. I love this kind of book.
A book involving politics, public service. If nonfiction doesn't make it I hope this one does. Politics is more than books about political divide. I'm thinking more about topics I care about like poverty, homelessness, the environment, food politics. International issues are also of interest to me (Mediterranean migrant crisis for instance).
Alicia wrote: "For #1, wouldn’t that be almost all award winning female writers? A large majority of awards are open to men."The idea here is to celebrate or showcase female authors that win prizes that have traditionally been awarded to men.
I said this in the Wild Discussion: “The Women’s Prize for Fiction and The Stella were created in response to the dominance of male winners on the Booker list. And it was a rather big deal when NK Jemisin won the Hugo three years in a row after decades of men ruling the world of speculative fiction.”
A woman winning the Booker or a sci-fi prize is rare enough that it’s notable, though that is less true today than it was 30 years ago. (The Women’s Prize was started in 1996.) Women are finally gaining notice in the publishing industry and it’s long overdue.
ETA “Since 1969, 36 men and 18 women have won the Booker Prize.”
https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booke...
ETA2 This is a list of the women who have won the Booker:
https://www.entitymag.com/female-man-...
That article is from 2017 and lists 16. Two women have won since then - Anna Burns in 2018 for Milkman and Bernadine Evaristo in 2019 for Girl Woman Other. Margaret Atwood won the prize for a second time in 2019 for The Testaments; she shared the win with Evaristo.
ETA3 “Although women read more than men and books by female authors are published in roughly the same numbers, they are vastly overlooked for prizes in comparison to male authors.”
https://www.vidaweb.org/women-and-pri...
ETA4 All of my comments have focused on women but this prompt is also about nonbinary people. I’m sure the representation for them in the prize world is even more abysmal.
@Dalex, I am sorry that it hurts your heart. I was thinking of the prompt more as a presenting a different face to the world than your own. Unfortunately, people have had to, and still do, to survive. It can be perceived as a very dark prompt. I don't feel like reading about superheroes and would rather read the darker version of the suggestion.
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..."
I'm also wondering about a list of Barbie's jobs. The only one I recall is veterinarian.
A few thinks to Barbie’s careers have been posted earlier in this thread.
Amanda wrote: "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.
Here are a few prize winning speculative fiction books by nonbinary authors.
When the Moon Was Ours (Otherwise winner 2016) by Anna-Marie McLemore
She Who Became the Sun (Holdstock winner 2022) by Shelley Parker-Chan
Light from Uncommon Stars (Otherwise winner 2021) by Ryka Aoki
Sorrowland (Otherwise winner 2021) by Rivers Solomon
Freshwater (Otherwise and Nommo winner 2019) by Akwaeke Emezi
Ninefox Gambit (Locus First Novel winner 2017) and Dragon Pearl (Locus Young Adult winner 2019) by Yoon Ya Lee
All the Birds in the Sky (Nebula winner 2016 and Locus Fantasy winner 2017) by Charlie Jane Anders
Just Like Home (Derleth winner 2023) by Sarah Gailey
The Drowning Girl (Stoker and Otherwise winner 2012) by Caitlin Kiernan
Hunger Makes the Wolf (Golden Tentacle winner 2017) by Alex Wells
A Daughter of No Nation (Aurora winner 2016) by A.M. Dellamonica
Queen of the Conquered (World Fantasy Award winner 2020) by Kacen Callender
You're the real MVP, dalex. Thanks for the list!
Thank you Dalex you’re fighting for my prompt harder than I am
1-4 plus 7,10,12 and 14. NO DOWN VOTES!
Btw, from Dalex’s list I’ve already read “Light from Uncommon Stars” by Ryka Aoki and really enjoyed it! I know we don’t have these prompts, but for people who WANTED them, this book would fit Artistic Character (music) and Anti-Hero, with a little Sci-Fi (which we DO have).
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
First impressions: 1. A book by a female or non-binary author which won an award that's also open to male authors - Not really a fan. I don't pay attention or care about awards at all. Definitely not an upvote for me, but I could be convinced not to downvote if I had enough suitable options.
2. A book with wings on the cover - Love this! Definitely an upvote
3. A book with an X connection - I've liked the idea of an X-related prompt all year, but not the biggest fan of the wording of this one for some reason
4. A book featuring a character in education - Love this too. Definitely an upvote.
5. A book where at least one character is trapped - Another upvote.
6. A book with a nod to weather - Major prompt fatigue. I feel like I've had something weather/climate-related ever year, and it's not something I particularly care to read about
7. A book with a character who is marginalized - A very strong maybe.
8. A nonfiction book about a topic you have always wanted to learn about - Probably a downvote. I have very few nonfiction that I'm actively interested in reading. I'd find something if it got in, but it's not something I'd really want.
9. A book with a clock on the cover - Most likely an upvote.
10. A book shelved as literary fiction - Maybe, depending on options.
11. A book set in a group living situation - Love this one too. Likely an upvote.
12. A book featuring a person who works in one the jobs that Barbie has had - I like it, but it's so broad. I'm not sure I want to vote for it.
13. A book involving politics, public service, or publicity at any level - Most likely neutral.
14. A book that is between 400-600 pages - I'd be fine if this got in, but it's not something I feel the need to vote for.
15. A book with a character who has an alter ego - Very strong maybe, depending on options.
Thanks Dalex for the list! I like literary prize lists and have 1 book that I meant to finish (for my O Canada! challenge) which was a Scotiabank Giller award winner. It’s also an opportunity to read a winner from a children’s lit prize, since that prompt didn’t get in. So, I think this is an upvote for me! Good suggestion Thomas!
Vicki wrote: "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 ..."
we posted links ,they are on the previous page.
Barbie has held hundreds of jobs.
Almost any sort of food service worker you can think of, including various fast food places, food truck, cafe, bakery, noodle shop, farmers market, farmer.
Healthcare including surgeon, doctor, nurse, paramedic, and vet.
Just about every sport, including baseball, hockey, boxing & volleyball, martial arts, snow boarding.
"Glamourous" jobs like fashion model, interior design, TV anchor, spy, magician, artist, cheerleader, matador, & photographer.
A variety of engineer jobs, including robotics engineer, renewable energy, computer engineer, aerospace engineer.
Other sciences such as microbiologist, animal conservation, zoologist, astrophysicist, entomologist, chemist, paleontologist, marine biologist.
And more: teacher, airplane pilot, flight attendant, life guard, architect, judge, Presidential candidate, daycare worker, dolphin trainer, florist, firefighter, cat burglar.
Pam wrote: "Thanks Dalex for the list! I like literary prize lists and have 1 book that I meant to finish (for my O Canada! challenge) which was a Scotiabank Giller award winner. It’s also an opportunity to re..."Thank you Pam
dalex wrote: "Alicia wrote: "For #1, wouldn’t that be almost all award winning female writers? A large majority of awards are open to men."The idea here is to celebrate or showcase female authors that win priz..."
I guess my issue with it then is that I have to have some knowledge about awards or do research on how many men have won it v. women. I guess I could just read an N.K. Jemison book if it gets in, but I don't know how most of us would be able to know which prizes fit and which don't that easily. But while Women's Prizes were created to "fix" that gap (which is a question of whether it fixes it or masks it), those wouldn't be eligible. So it would still end up being any woman that has won a non-women only award. Except maybe the stereotypical romance awards or something like that.
For non-binary, I would really guess ANY non-binary award winner is going to be unique in the category, so I could also just go that way.
Alicia wrote: "dalex wrote: "Alicia wrote: "For #1, wouldn’t that be almost all award winning female writers? A large majority of awards are open to men."The idea here is to celebrate or showcase female authors..."
As long as men are eligible the award counts.
So another way to phrase the prompt would be “a woman or non-binary author that has won an award that isn’t a womens or non-binary only prize”.
Alicia wrote: "So another way to phrase the prompt would be “a woman or non-binary author that has won an award that isn’t a womens or non-binary only prize”."Yep
I immediately thought of Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History for the weather prompt.The Art of Racing in the Rain is another good one.
I'm not real sure about these.....my first impressions are:1. A book by a female or non-binary author which won an award that's also open to male authors - meh - don't hate it, don't love it. Could make it work
2. A book with wings on the cover - again, don't love it but after checking my TBR could definitely make it work
3. A book with an X connection - yeah I think I like this one
4. A book featuring a character in education - I like this one
5. A book where at least one character is trapped - not sure, would need to do some more research about what fits. Nothing on the listopias standing out.
6. A book with a nod to weather - no thanks
7. A book with a character who is marginalized - again, not thanks
8. A nonfiction book about a topic you have always wanted to learn about - definite no thanks. Although if it got in I would read Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After, Chloe Hayden's book. Chloe is fantastic autistic advocate in Australia.
9. A book with a clock on the cover - maybe
10. A book shelved as literary fiction - I will vote for this
11. A book set in a group living situation - hmm, not really standing out for me
12. A book featuring a person who works in one the jobs that Barbie has had - not really intersted - there are plenty of jobs though so I'm sure I could make it work
13. A book involving politics, public service, or publicity at any level - no thanks
14. A book that is between 400-600 pages - I mean I like this, but don't think we need a prompt to read a boot 400-600 pages, can do that with any prompt.
15. A book with a character who has an alter ego - I don't really like this but I think the book I just finished listening to would work Thank You for Listening. They are more pseudonyms in this book - would that work?
I was pretty disgruntled by the suggestions list at first, but having thought it over, I'm a bit more gruntled...1. The Prizes...sorry, this doesn't do anything for me. I'm not interested in reading a book just because it's won the Booker or whatever, and unfortunately the list of other awards posted by @Dalex above, is heavy on fantasy and sci-fi, which are not my preferred genres. So this is either a downvote or neutral, probably neutral because I could find something.
2. Wings. Love this for some reason, have a book that will fit perfectly (two in fact) and will upvote.
3. I wasn't a fan of the X suggestions first time around, but I've been converted and will upvote this.
4. Education: Obviously easy to fill. Doesn't leap out at me. Probably a neutral.
5. Trapped character. Don't get a feel for this. Neutral.
6. Nod to weather. Don't like the wording - still don't really understand what is meant. A downvote.
7. Marginalised character- a maybe upvote.
8. Non-fiction learning: I don't think anything stands out for me as filling this prompt. Downvote.
9. Clock on the cover. Doesn't inspire me as much as wings for some reason. Neutral.
10. Literary fiction: I know the phrase 'it's just read a book' isn't popular, but that's exactly what this prompt is to me. I wouldn't downvote because it's easy to fill and others must like it because (unfortunately for me) it crops up a lot.
11. Group living - I have upvoted before, neutral this time.
12. Barbie's jobs - this is definitely read a book about a job. I could fill it so it will be a neutral
13. Politics etc. I've read a lot of books about politics since Brexit, Trump and so forth, and I while I still have some on my TBR list, I get depressed looking at them. Sadly and rather guiltily, a downvote.
14. 400-600 pages. Neutral.
15. Alter ego - not loving this, but wouldn't downvote.
Martha wrote: If nonfiction doesn't make it I hope this one does. Politics is more than books about political divide. I'm thinking more about topics I care about like poverty, homelessness, the environment, food politics. International issues are also of interest to me".."I agree that politics affect all aspects of life, but if you interpret the prompt that way, it's a freebie.
My favorite prompt this round is a book with a marginalized character. It’s not overly specific and annoying to research. If you wanted to read a book that won a diversity award this would work. If you wanted an Asian authors, civil rights, trans or queer characters, migrants or refugees from ethnic wars, women in the tech industry, black, indigenous, neurodivergent, disability, etc, this is the place for it. In comparison, a female, non-binary award winner etc. is restrictive and difficult to research. I liked Light from Uncommon Stars. I could find something, but I would prefer the other prompt.
I was expecting a prompt with extreme weather. “A nod to weather” is a very pale substitute.
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..."That book sounds really good. It also fits nonfiction book, and marginalized character.
dalex wrote: "Amanda wrote: "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 nonbina..."
Dalex, all of these might fit your prompt about a marginalized character too. I like your prompt a lot more.
LeahS wrote: "1. The Prizes...sorry, this doesn't do anything for me. I'm not interested in reading a book just because it's won the Booker or whatever, and unfortunately the list of other awards posted by @Dalex above, is heavy on fantasy and sci-fi, which are not my preferred genres. So this is either a downvote or neutral, probably neutral because I could find something.”The list I posted is speculative fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, horror) by nonbinary authors because someone mentioned focusing on nonbinary authors and I’m familiar enough with those genres and prizes to compile a list.
You can read any genre you want. The only restriction here is that the book has to be written by a female or nonbinary author and won an award that is also open to male authors.
Also, this prompt is not about “reading a book just because it won the Booker.” The idea here is to celebrate or showcase female authors that win prizes that have traditionally been awarded to men. See Message #56 where I explain this in detail with quotes and links.
Alicia wrote: "dalex wrote: I guess my issue with it then is that I have to have some knowledge about awards or do research on how many men have won it v. women.Not really. Pick an award. Check the list of winners. If there are both male and female winners it counts.
Just because one particular award may be well balanced among genders doesn’t mean the male bias isn’t true as a whole.
I have read your messages, including message #56 and I do understand what you mean; obviously I was just writing a quick summary of my feelings. Unfortunately, I am just not invested in this prompt. I have read many of the female Booker winners, I do not particularly like speculative fiction, and the prompt does not interest me enough to do a lot of research on other prizes. As I said this will be a neutral prompt for me rather than a downvote. .
LeahS wrote: "I have read your messages, including message #56 and I do understand what you mean; obviously I was just writing a quick summary of my feelings. Unfortunately, I am just not invested in this prompt..."That’s fair.
LeahS wrote: "I have read your messages, including message #56 and I do understand what you mean; obviously I was just writing a quick summary of my feelings. Unfortunately, I am just not invested in this prompt..."You’re better than me I’ve only read two bookers one man one woman
Thomas wrote: "Thank you Dalex you’re fighting for my prompt harder than I am"I may be a wee bit passionate about feminism and marginalization. I’ll fight for these issues in any arena. I’m starting to think I’ll need to ignore messages until results are posted because this could well become all consuming for me.
dalex wrote: That’s fair."Thank you for your polite response to what was a bit of a rant from me! I can see the prompt means a lot to you.
I am going to upvote the marginalisation suggestion.
Good luck with the prize suggestion - I'm sure I will cope if it wins :)
LeahS wrote: "dalex wrote: That’s fair."Thank you for your polite response to what was a bit of a rant from me! I can see the prompt means a lot to you.
I am going to upvote the marginalisation suggestion.
..."
Thanks Leah. Have a happy day!
For alter ego I may go loose and read The Dark Half given the villiain is in the more psychological sense an alter ego for the protagonist although it will still be a non vote for me because there are others I like better
Emily wrote: "Voting is open: https://forms.gle/zbrZmwDSyZ3gNHdt9"Voted! First time I downvoted nothing
Emily, would you mind checking if my vote registered? Computer had a blip as I was in the process! Many thanks.
Mod
LeahS wrote: "Thanks very much, Emily."Leah obviously you’re free not to say but as we were discussing it did you downvote the award in the end or did you go neutral?
I upvoted four:1. A book by a female or non-binary author which won an award that's also open to male authors
7. A book with a character who is marginalized
(Because I love these prompts! And we need award and character prompts on the list.)
2. A book with wings on the cover
(I really appreciate how open this is to interpretation unlike many previous cover prompts that were oddly narrow and specific.)
4. A book featuring a character in education
(Kind of meh about this but it's doable and we need character prompts.)
And I downvoted four:
6. A book with a nod to weather
(The "nod" is confusing to me and I don't feel inspired by the idea.)
8. A nonfiction book about a topic you have always wanted to learn about
(The "always" part makes this feel undoable to me.)
11. A book set in a group living situation
(I suppose I could do a sci-fi space book about a group living on a space ship but all in all I don't like this prompt for whatever reason.)
12. A book featuring a person who works in one the jobs that Barbie has had
(I feel like we've seen this prompt in almost every poll and I'm over it. In my opinon the group is entirely too focused on pop culture prompts this year. And I feel like it's too broad because it seems like there isn't any job that Barbie hasn't had.
ETA I just noticed there's a typo in the Barbie prompt. It's missing the word "of" - one OF the jobs
Alice in Wonderland is on the Goodreads list for alto-ego books but I can’t post the link
Thomas wrote: "LeahS wrote: "Thanks very much, Emily."Leah obviously you’re free not to say but as we were discussing it did you downvote the award in the end or did you go neutral?"
Thomas, I remained neutral, but upvoted 'marginal character'.
dalex wrote: "I upvoted four:1. A book by a female or non-binary author which won an award that's also open to male authors
7. A book with a character who is marginalized
(Because I love these prompts! And we ..."
Yes always seemed undoable for me too that’s why if it gets in I will assume it doesn’t mean literally
LeahS wrote: "Thomas wrote: "LeahS wrote: "Thanks very much, Emily."Leah obviously you’re free not to say but as we were discussing it did you downvote the award in the end or did you go neutral?"
Thomas, I r..."
Thanks
Around the Year in 52 Books
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Pride and Prejudice (other topics)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (other topics)
Emma (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Elliot Page (other topics)
