[2026] Poll 3 Voting

[John]

Voted 5 up and 3 down.

Although not initially drawn to #1, after some thought I believe it would be fun. Similarly for death symbols on the cover an unusual occupations. The other two "up" votes involved Goodread New Releases and Book of the Month Club.

I did not care for mystery but not murder, a book with a fraction in the title, or book connected with iron. The last time we had a prompt for a mystery which did not include murder, I had a difficult time finding one that interested me. I currently don't have any books on my TBR that involves fractions in the title and those listed I have either read or have no interest in reading. Finally, I though iron was too limiting. It might be interested to choose three other elements to reflect the four classical elements: earth, air, fire, and water. For example, iron could be earth, air could be oxygen, fire could be potassium, and water could be mercury or quicksilver.

[Deborah]

Robin P wrote: "I do wonder about the raised lettering because you can't always tell from the online image. Some of our members get all their books from the library and they would have to see the actual copy."

And some people read ebooks or audiobooks.

[MJ]

Deborah wrote: "Robin P wrote: "I do wonder about the raised lettering because you can't always tell from the online image. Some of our members get all their books from the library and they would have to see the a..."

I downvoted it for that reason. I almost only read ebooks these days.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Nadine in NY wrote: "so for the mods, we've got: at least one mom of littles, at least one expecting mom, at least one retired woman?

And from the photos: a waterlily, a beach, a bird, a cap & gown, an Alcott quote, a..."

Here's my blurb:
Pamela- I live in Salem, MA. I've worked my whole career in museums-- I started as a military/aviation curator but currently work at the House of the Seven Gables-- so here's your excuse to read Hawthorne. I wish I was a fashion curator though. I also knit and travel extensively. I read a lot of paranormal romance and try to balance it out with non-fiction, classics, and literary fiction. I've just started Moby Dick again- if anyone wants to use this prompt to shame me into actually finishing it, feel free.

And yep, I'm the beach. I do love the beach! A coworker did my Hinge profile and actually listed under desirable things for a man "good beach sticker."

[Charlsa]

Emily wrote: "Hey Charles, I’ll make that change before voting goes live.

As for the links, we typically don’t link books in that portion of the thread. It gets to be really time consuming for us as mods to ta..."

Thanks! I didn't remember that, but it makes sense.

[John]

Pamela wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "so for the mods, we've got: at least one mom of littles, at least one expecting mom, at least one retired woman?

And from the photos: a waterlily, a beach, a bird, a cap & gow..."

If this prompt is selected, I would recommend that the moderators cut and paste their comments into one comment. It would be easier for the user to select a book.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

John wrote: "Pamela wrote: "If this prompt is selected, I would recommend that the moderators cut and paste their comments into one comment. It would be easier for the user to select a book..."

They will be- only Emily can edit the "further information" thread.

[KP]

These are my favorite ideas this week. They are unusual, and won’t be hard for me to fill. Not boring at all.

12. A book with a character who has an unusual, uncommon, or "extinct" occupation
13. A book connected to iron

2 and 11 are also right up my alley

Ever since you mentioned the penguin symbol I’m seeing it everywhere.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I've been updating the Thoughts and Ideas thread to reflect what the mods are posting here. If this prompt does make it in, we would put a more extensive list and contribute to the listopia to give people ideas!

[Nike]

KP wrote: "These are my favorite ideas this week. They are unusual, and won’t be hard for me to fill. Not boring at all.

12. A book with a character who has an unusual, uncommon, or "extinct" occupation
13. ..."


🐧🐧🐧(⁠•⁠‿⁠•⁠)

[KP]

There they are again 😆
🐧

[Dixie]

KP wrote: "There they are again 😆
🐧"

Haha I interpret the Humboldt penguins at our zoo for the public, so penguin symbols are an automatic draw for me!

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Pamela wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "so for the mods, we've got: at least one mom of littles, at least one expecting mom, at least one retired woman?

And from the photos: a waterlily, a beach, a bird, a cap & gow..."

Pam, one of my talks on historical women is based on The Peabody Sisters. The youngest sister, Sophia, married Hawthorne.

I avoided Moby Dick for decades, but when I read it I loved it. It's kind of a mess with everything thrown in (like the chowder mentioned at the beginning.) Some of it is very funny, other parts poetic, dramatic, etc. I admit I skipped over some of the details on whale anatomy and how to process the whale, and I encourage others to do the same unless that really interests you!

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Robin P wrote: "Pam, one of my talks on historical women is based on The Peabody Sisters. The youngest sister, Sophia, married Hawthorne.

I avoided Moby Dick for decades, but when I read it I loved it. It's kind of a mess with everything thrown in (like the chowder mentioned at the beginning.) Some of it is very.."

True! Could get us both with one prompt! I would probably use this, in your honor, to finally read her Margaret Fuller book.

I've tried to read Moby Dick so many times and always quit! This time I will do it- what better for "monster book." But should I fail, as I so often have...

[Edie]

Much more excited about this list. 8 upvotes including the "mod" prompt. Given the diverse backgrounds and interests of our mods, the listopia could be very long, but I love that this prompts lets us get to know the mods better.

[Angie]

I wound up going 6 up and 2 down.

[Mary]

A book that is related to one of the group’s moderators-MAYBE.
2. A book written in or set in the eighteenth century-downvote. trying to read off my bookshelf
3. A book on one of Goodreads New Releases by Genre page-downvote-see #2 reason
4. A mystery without a murder-maybe-I don't love mysteries
5. An author's second/sophomore book-maybe/upvote-lots of choices-so many authors that i like
6. A book with a symbol of death on the cover-maybe-gotta look at the symbols
7. A novella of 100-250 pages -maybe/downvote -hard to get novellas at library
8. A book with a fraction in the title-maybe-g
9. A book with an embossed cover or raised lettering-probably-got lots on my bookshelf
10. A book with an alliteration in author name or title-probably not-can't think of any
11. A book with a challenge or competition, such as a marathon, contest, or campaign-upvote-i like this one
12. A book with a character who has an unusual, uncommon, or "extinct" occupation-maybe-gotta look at listopias
13. A book connected to iron-see #12
14. A book from a publishing company, the logotype of which depicting a tangible thing-not sure what this means
15. A book featured as a Book of the Month Club pick-probably not-do a lot of older books

[Deborah]

Mary wrote: "A book that is related to one of the group’s moderators-MAYBE.
2. A book written in or set in the eighteenth century-downvote. trying to read off my bookshelf
3. A book on one of Goodreads New Rel..."

Here's the link for 14 that shows example:
https://99designs.com/blog/creative-i...
some examples are the penguin, a puffin, and a pink unicorn.
Does that help?

[Nike]

Mary wrote: "A book that is related to one of the group’s moderators-MAYBE.
2. A book written in or set in the eighteenth century-downvote. trying to read off my bookshelf
3. A book on one of Goodreads New Rel..."

On the back of a book there is almost always the logotype of the publishing company. For example a small penguin for the Penguin Classics. With a tangible thing I meant exactly that as opposed to a publishing logo with just letters or with an abstract motif. Deborah has been so kind to copy the link above. Their are for example logos with books, houses, other animals apart from the penguin. It's also easy to find since you just have to look at the backs of the books in a shelf. You don't have to know or memorize what logo a publishing company has got. But I think the little Penguin is the most known. 🐧

[Nike]

Deborah wrote: "Mary wrote: "A book that is related to one of the group’s moderators-MAYBE.
2. A book written in or set in the eighteenth century-downvote. trying to read off my bookshelf
3. A book on one of Good..."

Thank you, Deborah 🙂🐧

[Deborah]

Nike wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Mary wrote: "A book that is related to one of the group’s moderators-MAYBE.
2. A book written in or set in the eighteenth century-downvote. trying to read off my bookshelf
3. A boo..."

No problem, you're welcome.

[Misty]

LOL - I always feel so out of touch with this group because I had seven down votes this time. Oh well! I always enjoy the challenge anyway! :)

[Trish, Annular Mod]

From Trish ( the missing mod from message two, as I'm currently in Northumbria). I live in London. I work as a financial editor and proofreader. I have cats. I'm the wrong side of 60. I enjoy reading, photography and like to cook.

[Tracy]

Thanks Trish! I had no idea any of our mods live outside the US. And if there is a “wrong side of 60”, I’m right there with you :)

I sure hope the Mod Prompt gets it — it should be a lot of fun finding a great fit for it 👩‍🏫📚

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Misty wrote: "LOL - I always feel so out of touch with this group because I had seven down votes this time. Oh well! I always enjoy the challenge anyway! :)"

You just like being a contrarian
I will say, with a few exceptions, the prompts I have been least happy with have ended up being the most enjoyable and vice versa.

[Nike]

Trish wrote: "From Trish ( the missing mod from message two, as I'm currently in Northumbria). I live in London. I work as a financial editor and proofreader. I have cats. I'm the wrong side of 60. I enjoy readi..."

No, there's no wrong side! I'm not 60 yet, just turned 55 but since I turned 50 I've just enjoyed my age like never before! We are powerful and full of wisdom! If anything, we who haven't yet turned 60 are on the wrong side, and maybe that is what you meant. ❤️💜♀️🌺🥰

[Tracy]

Nike wrote: "Trish wrote: "From Trish ( the missing mod from message two, as I'm currently in Northumbria). I live in London. I work as a financial editor and proofreader. I have cats. I'm the wrong side of 60...."

🥰

[Misty]

Pamela wrote: "Misty wrote: "
You just like being a contrarian
"

I'm going to take this in the spirit I hope it was meant.....
LOL - I've always been a square peg in a round hole! Like I said, I always enjoy the challenge anyway!