Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
ATY 2026
>
[2026] Poll 14 Voting
Mod
Also see discussion below where more information on prompts can be offered.
For some of these, I've linked to the proposal message in the suggestions thread, as there were some quite long lists of links.
1. A book involving pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, or pachyderms
There's a very thorough list in the suggestions thread, so click here for the links: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
2. A book that takes place in a country/place along the path of totality for the 2026 solar eclipse: Spain, Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic, and the Atlantic Ocean
Spain:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://modernmrsdarcy.com/literary-t...
Portugal:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://traversejourneys.com/blog/15-...
Iceland
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://modernmrsdarcy.com/recommende...
Greenland
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://heyimreading.com/2020/09/26/b...
The Arctic
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://adventuresmithexplorations.co...
The Atlantic Ocean
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://thegreatestbooks.org/the-grea...
3. A book with a main character who is a teacher, instructor, or professor
Teacher/professor could be any grade level. Instructor could be for any subject at or outside of a school setting. Many places offer courses of interest to the general public from sewing and knitting, to gardening, cooking or exercise.
4. A book related to iron or steel
Iron is element 26 (for 2026).
Cold iron was the belief that iron could repel faeries, witches, and ghosts. It's the reason people used to have horseshoes on houses and wrought iron fences around cemeteries.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
5. A book related to a park, such as a national, state, provincial, urban, castle, amusement or skate park
A variety of links can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
6. A book with a First Responder as a featured character
A first responder includes any of the following categories:
Law Enforcement Officers at any level (Federal, State, Provincial, County, Parish, Local) ex: Police, State troopers, Sheriffs, Deputies, Canadian Mounties, Constables, etc.
There is a comprehensive list of links here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
7. An epistolary novel - a book primarily narrated though letters/diary or journal entries/emails/transcripts etc
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
8. A book with a main character who has power(s)
"Some types of power to consider: physical, military, political, financial, popularity/celebrity, authority, magical, superpowers (flight, invisibility, seeing through walls, etc.).
Shelves, tags, genres, and Listopias:
(there’s probably some overlap between types of lists)
Power Books: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Power Book Lists: https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/power
PowerS Book Lists: https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/po...
Power Genre: https://www.goodreads.com/genres/power
Listopia - Power ‘Mad’ (‘Power’ in the title): https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
9. A book that quotes or references another work in its title
"A book that quotes or references another work in its title.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
https://www.perkins.org/titles-based-...
https://www.ranker.com/list/books-wit...
10. A book where the main characters are siblings
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
11. A book featuring a party or festival
A book featuring a party or festival:
Here are a few lists. Could be fiction or non-fiction. I can dig up some more once I'm back from teaching my class.
https://herrickdl.org/blogs/post/book...
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
https://bookmarksnblankets.com/10-boo...
https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/ar...
12. A book that includes a science topic
Fiction/nonfiction:
The science topic does not need to be a huge part of the plot.
Any field of science, including nature, biology, psychology, environmental, archeology, physics, oceanography, genetics, medical science, neuroscience, space, etc. etc."
Check the links here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Science related books:
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/science
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
A list of science related listopias:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/sc...
13. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists
https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#view...
14. A book with a character with one of the jobs in the song 40 Hour Week (for a livin') by Alabama
The lyrics can be found here: https://genius.com/Alabama-40-hour-we...
Jobs listed include:
Auto workers
Steel mill workers
Construction (swing hammer, drive home nail)
Sales assistants
Firefighters
Mail carriers/postmen and women
Factory workers
Agricultural workers
Wheat farmers
Coal miners
Truck drivers
Warehouse workers
Waitress
Mechanic
Police offices
15. A book about books.
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/book...
I feel like that was another really great round of suggestions. I'm absolutely in love with the 'P' prompt, and I adore several other suggestions. I hope a lot of prompts get in this week!
This is going to be another hard round of voting! I see too many upvotes to count and only one obvious downvote.
I really love the perfect P prompt too! It's fun to say out loud.
So many good ideas this time around! Definite upvotes for me are the path of totality, a book that quotes or references another work in its title (the lists for that one, especially the Wikipedia list, have so many possibilities!), a science topic, and the NPR list. I'm really going to think about the others, there are lots of "maybes"... (I like the Ps too, but I don't think it's going to need my vote, based on how many other fans it has!)
Mod
Cheers, Nancy. I chickened and linked to your post in suggestions!
I can see about three upvotes here and the rest are either over my dead body, or ok but I'm not excited. Obviously I am out of tune here with the rest of the comments. I've been over the list several times without changing my mind one jot
Mod
Spoiled for choice this week. I don't think there is a prompt that I couldn't find a book for.I could go 8 upvotes for the first time this year. It will be a matter of picking which ones.
My initial thought is at 4 up and 2 down.I like: Totality, parks, NPR and books about books
I don't like: epistolary novel and quotes or references another work in its title
Trish wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I’ll save Trish some copying of links for the Science topic"Cheers, Nancy. I chickened and linked to your post in suggestions!"
Argh I accidentally deleted my list when I went to edit it! 😭 Our water heater broke this morning too. It’s been a rough day so far!
Trish, can you add these links to the main post above?
Science related books:
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/science
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
A list of science related listopias:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/sc...
Pamela wrote: "Interesting list here... some are wacky! Yay first responders! I'm not sure I understand the P prompt, it seems kinda odd to have those things together."Perhaps it is odd! LOL Something fun and wacky? 😁
Thanks for the link, Trish! Just returned from taking a sick and cranky feline to the vet! Here's hoping he recovers his full health!
For those who wish to peruse the various listopias for #1 without clicking on the link in Message 2, here they are!
A book involving pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, or pachyderms
**PIRATES
2024 POPSUGAR PROMPT #6 A book about pirates:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Pirates:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Lady Pirates:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Lesbian Pirates:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
YA & Middle Grade Pirates:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
**PUPPIES
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
As you might expect, there are many children’s books involving puppies.
**PARROTS:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
I didn’t realize just how many birds are classified as parrots! That qualifies many more books than I expected could be included! Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
**PENGUINS:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
**PACHYDERMS (rhinoceros, hippopotamus, tapir, elephant):
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
One person can only add a maximum of 100 books to a listopia. Which I did on this listing. Fortunately, I had started with rhinoceros, then moved on to hippopotamus, and then tapir.
Inane trivia: there are romance books involving a character named/nicknamed “Rhino”! (Who knew? LOL)
After posting, I inadvertently discovered this listopia entitled Hippos! (Books that contain hippos):
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Elephant books are included in the four already existing listopias listed below!
Elephant Books:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
Elephants:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
Elephants on the Cover:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
Best Children’s Book About Elephants:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
I created the listopias for PUPPIES, PENGUINS, and PACHYDERMS.
Dixie wrote: "So many good ideas this time around! Definite upvotes for me are the path of totality, a book that quotes or references another work in its title (the lists for that one, especially the Wikipedia l..."That is an interesting strategy, Dixie!
I always just upvote the ones I really like and downvote those I don't like as much...
First impressions:1. A book involving pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, or pachyderms
🔹Too many options, but it includes elephants, so I might have to vote for it....
2. A book that takes place in a country/place along the path of totality for the 2026 solar eclipse: Spain, Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic, and the Atlantic Ocean
🔹Meh
3. A book with a main character who is a teacher, instructor, or professor
🔹I like it.
4. A book related to iron or steel
🔹Yes.
5. A book related to a park, such as a national, state, provincial, urban, castle, amusement or skate park
🔹Still a no for me, even though the new wording makes it much more appealing.
6. A book with a First Responder as a featured character
🔹Love it.
7. An epistolary novel - a book primarily narrated though letters/diary or journal entries/emails/transcripts etc
🔹Meh.
8. A book with a main character who has power(s)
🔹Love it, but wish is was open for all major characters, and not just the MCs.
9. A book that quotes or references another work in its title
🔹I like it.
10. A book where the main characters are siblings
🔹I like it.
11. A book featuring a party or festival
🔹Meh
12. A book that includes a science topic
🔹The wording of this one seems off to me.
13. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists
🔹The rare list prompt I enjoy.
14. A book with a character with one of the jobs in the song 40 Hour Week (for a livin') by Alabama
🔹No
15. A book about books.
🔹Always a good prompt.
So mostly positive.
I love #1. Does it reference anything in particular? Just wondering why pirates are added to a list of animals, and if there’s a pop culture reference that I’m not getting.
^I have the same question as Maggie. I'm going to vote for it either way because I love that's it wacky and fun!
Kendra, re: the Power PromptThe prompt is A main character, not THE main character. This was to make sure it was someone who has an important role in the book and is not just mentioned in passing.
The idea of a MAJOR character instead did not come up when I workshopped this in Wild Discussion. I like it, but is it really that different than A main character?
Mod
Maggie wrote: "I love #1. Does it reference anything in particular? Just wondering why pirates are added to a list of animals, and if there’s a pop culture reference that I’m not getting."And to you, Irene!
Firstly, I appreciate that you feel I might actually have "pop culture" knowledge. I am almost 70 years old with no TV in my house these past 25 years and rarely "watch" any media--maybe 5 movies a year--and only subscribe to one streaming service, Netflix, since I have been with them when they were shipping out DVDs! LOL
No particular reference and no special connection. I am an alliteration freak and began thinking of pirates and puppies. Then I added penguins. Then I thought of elephants--then pachyderms! That was fun and different and could include less common animals such as rhinos, hippos, and tapirs! But then I thought that might not be enough variety from which to select and added parrots. I guess you could think of them in alignment with pirates...but that wasn't my intent.
But truly, that was my thought process. Just trying to come up with something goofy and fun. If it is selected, great! And if not, that's okay... 😋 Life goes on. LOL It was at least a good conversation starter! 👍😁
One year we had Birds, Bees, and Bunnies as a prompt.And it was a fun prompt. Alliteration makes it catchy.
Dubhease wrote: "One year we had Birds, Bees, and Bunnies as a prompt.And it was a fun prompt. Alliteration makes it catchy."
Yes, and I was jealous of whoever thought of it!
L Y N N wrote: "Dubhease wrote: "One year we had Birds, Bees, and Bunnies as a prompt.And it was a fun prompt. Alliteration makes it catchy."
Yes, and I was jealous of whoever thought of it!"
Thank you! Back then we had someone who suggested a book about rabbits every year. Bees were popular and there were tons of books with birds in the cover. We had separate suggestions for them, but none could get in on their own. So I did what you did, changed rabbit to bunnies for the alliteration. (Some people noticed a reproduction theme.). I am partial to groups of three. I don’t know why.
For the P prompt, I am definitely most interested in reading about pachyderms.
I read at least 3 books this year that had penguins. I loved Wild Dark Shore, though the discussion of penguins is quite brief. The Last Cold Place: A Field Season Studying Penguins in Antarctica had the best descriptions of them. The author got whacked in the head by them a few times.
L Y N N wrote: "That is an interesting strategy, Dixie!I always just upvote the ones I really like and downvote those I don't like as much..."
That's basically what I'm doing too, though I only downvote prompts I really dislike. If I'm neutral I don't vote them up or down. In this case, other than the four I know I really like, I have to weigh some of the others before I decide what I want to do with the rest of my votes.
Tracy wrote: "Kendra, re: the Power PromptThe prompt is A main character, not THE main character. This was to make sure it was someone who has an important role in the book and is not just mentioned in passing..."
A major character that has an important role in the story still doesn't count as a main character. In movies and TV shows, sure, but the rules for what counts as a main character in a book are stricter. The story has to give their thoughts and feelings, or follow them around even in the absence of the other characters. Game of Thrones has multiple main characters, Harry Potter has only one. If you wanted to open it to all major characters, you should have used the word major, not main. Yes, I'm pedantic, but it matters. I'm still voting for the prompt.
The pirates, puppies, parrots, and pachyderms made me immediately think of Doctor Doolittle...I'm reasonably certain he encounters all those things at some point on his voyages.The prompts that jumped out at me most so far are "references another work in the title", "features a party/festival", and "related to iron/steel".
We just had "character in education" last year, and the first responder prompt strikes me as a (too?) similar overlap with mystery/true crime -- I would probably just read a police procedural for it. I don't think I'd have trouble filling any of these prompts, however.
Kendra wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Kendra, re: the Power PromptThe prompt is A main character, not THE main character. This was to make sure it was someone who has an important role in the book and is not just mentio..."
I never learned that distinction. And I always envied the English majors reading on the comfy seats in the library while I was calculating away on the harder chairs at tables — although I've since learned it was no picnic given the insane number of pages that needed to be read each week.
I'm glad you will still support the Power prompt Kendra and will forgive my less specific wording. Your use of "major" is really my intent.
L Y N N wrote: "Maggie wrote: "I love #1. Does it reference anything in particular? Just wondering why pirates are added to a list of animals, and if there’s a pop culture reference that I’m not getting."And to ..."
Thanks for the explanation Lynn! I love the prompt. I appreciate a good alliteration!
Mod
And it was a fun prompt. Alliteration makes it catchy."
But that has a sex reference for them being together (am i grumpy? I'm on hour 4 of zoom meetings and the current one is just me waiting to be let into a town committee meeting)
First impressions: 1. A book involving pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, or pachyderms - As much as I love the word "pachyderms," I don't really like this kind of "mishmash" prompt that mixes a whole bunch of unrelated things together.
2. A book that takes place in a country/place along the path of totality for the 2026 solar eclipse: Spain, Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic, and the Atlantic Ocean - Likely a downvote. I don't like geographic prompts. But, maybe I could be convinced to at least leave it neutral if I had enough options on my list.
3. A book with a main character who is a teacher, instructor, or professor - For some reason I was convinced we had something like this already, but I checked and we don't. I really like this idea though so it's likely an upvote!
4. A book related to iron or steel - I don't really get how to tackle this one.
5. A book related to a park, such as a national, state, provincial, urban, castle, amusement or skate park - Meh, not that interested. I don't think I have many books that really fit.
6. A book with a First Responder as a featured character - A strong maybe, depending how many options I have.
7. An epistolary novel - a book primarily narrated though letters/diary or journal entries/emails/transcripts etc - Another strong maybe. I tend to like this kind of book or anything mixed media, but I might prefer to save my votes for something I want more strongly.
8. A book with a main character who has power(s) - Love this! I love that it can be interpreted a few different ways.
9. A book that quotes or references another work in its title - Probably neutral.
10. A book where the main characters are siblings - For some reason, I really like this one! I feel like I read a ton of books involving siblings so hopefully I don't burn out on sibling-focused books, but there are lots of options.
11. A book featuring a party or festival - Very likely an upvote!
12. A book that includes a science topic - A strong maybe
13. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists - Very likely an upvote. It's one of the few list prompts that I actively love, because it is not limited to any particular year and there's always several books I'm interested in on their lists.
14. A book with a character with one of the jobs in the song 40 Hour Week (for a livin') by Alabama - Likely a downvote. I don't really care for song lyric prompts unless it's a song where I already have an attachment of some kind
15. A book about books. - It's a prompt I've done many times before, but I always love it. It could be another upvote!
Pamela wrote: "Dubhease wrote: "But that has a sex reference for them being together (am i grumpy? I'm on hour 4 of zoom meetings and the current one is just me waiting to be let into a town committee meeting).."I don't think it was supposed to have a sex reference, but people took it that way.
I was trying to figure out if Lynn's prompt had some Pennsylvania reference with Pirates, Penguins, and the Pittsburg zoo. (And googling the Pittsbug zoo had someone killed by an elephant in 2002 and wild dogs in 2012).
Dubhease wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Dubhease wrote: "But that has a sex reference for them being together (am i grumpy? I'm on hour 4 of zoom meetings and the current one is just me waiting to be let into a town commit...I was trying to figure out if Lynn's prompt had some Pennsylvania reference with Pirates, Penguins, and the Pittsburg zoo. (And googling the Pittsbug zoo had someone killed by an elephant in 2002 and wild dogs in 2012)."
That's terrible!
First Impressions:1. Pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, pachyderms: Neutral for now. If this gets in I'll likely read about puppy development because I'm a puppy foster parent and I like to read anything to do about raising rescue puppies.
2. Countries/oceans of Spain, Portugal, Iceland, etc. Neutral for now. I could do it if it gets in though.
3. Main character is teacher, instructor, professor. Neutral.
4. Book r/t iron/steel: Up vote. I wouldn't have voted for this without the list. I had multiple books on the lists though.
5. Related to park: I own nothing that relates to national/state parks, etc., but I could do it if I used the library. Neutral for now.
6. First responder: Maybe. I want to reread the Sarah Waters book about ambulance drivers in WWII.
7. Epistolary novel: I had a surprising number of books on the lists. These lists are very helpful! Up vote
8. Main character has powers: Up vote - great lists again.
9. References another work in title - Up because I have a lot of books on the lists provided.
10. Main characters are siblings. I've read a lot of these but I may vote for it so I can read East of Eden again.
11. Book featuring party or festival. I avoid parties in real life, but I saw a few books on the lists I'd like to read. Neutral for now.
12. Book includes a science topic. Maybe.
13. NPR "Books We Love". If there is an NPR Books We Love in the future I always like to pick books from the list. Up vote
14. Character with job in song "40 Hour Week." Probably not
15. A book about books. I could do it but I'm burned out on this prompt. Neutral for now.
Five firm up votes. I'm not sure how I'll use the other 3 remaining votes.
Pamela wrote: "Dubhease wrote: "One year we had Birds, Bees, and Bunnies as a prompt.And it was a fun prompt. Alliteration makes it catchy."
? I..."
Oh no. I’d be grumpy too. That’s one thing I don’t miss - interminable meetings. But was the town meeting more eventful? One of ours last year became too lively, with members storming out (or thrown out, defending on who’s telling the story.)
This is a great list. For the first time, I am thinking about eight upvotes. Love it.1. A book involving pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, or pachyderms - upvote: it's fun, and I love fun prompts
2. A book that takes place in a country/place along the path of totality for the 2026 solar eclipse: Spain, Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic, and the Atlantic Ocean - upvote: I love this one. I love the geography prompts, and I had such an amazing experience with the last eclipse that I really love this prompt.
3. A book with a main character who is a teacher, instructor, or professor - I like it
4. A book related to iron or steel - I'm neutral on this one
5. A book related to a park, such as a national, state, provincial, urban, castle, amusement or skate park - upvote: I love, love, love this one - so many options. Plus, I had an amazing vacation at Yellowstone this summer, so I am all hyped up about national parks.
6. A book with a First Responder as a featured character - I like it
7. An epistolary novel - a book primarily narrated though letters/diary or journal entries/emails/transcripts etc - I dislike this one, but not enough to downvote it. It's just too limiting. I like the style or writing though, so if it get in I'm sure I'll find a good book for it.
8. A book with a main character who has power(s) - upvote: I love this one! I know someone was talking about the specifics of what a main character is, and I can absolutely appreciate the specificity. I am that way about far too many things! I also will completely ignore that and use whatever character I classify as a main character in the book! LOL. :)
9. A book that quotes or references another work in its title - interesting
10. A book where the main characters are siblings - I like it
11. A book featuring a party or festival - I like it
12. A book that includes a science topic - upvote: always an upvote. Always.
13. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists - this is the only one I might downvote. I very strongly dislike the "lists" prompts, and we had TWO this year.
14. A book with a character with one of the jobs in the song 40 Hour Week (for a livin') by Alabama - upvote: This one sounds super fun, and I love the fun ones. Plus, Alabama makes me think of my chosen sister (who died in 2012) because we always listened to them together when we were kids.
15. A book about books. - upvote: It's books. About books. What's not to love? :)
L Y N N wrote: "Maggie wrote: "I love #1. Does it reference anything in particular? Just wondering why pirates are added to a list of animals, and if there’s a pop culture reference that I’m not getting."And to ..."
Love your thought process LOL! I really, really hope this one gets in!!
First impressions. The prompts are:
1. A book involving pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, or pachyderms - It makes me smile . Possibility
2. A book that takes place in a country/place along the path of totality for the 2026 solar eclipse: Spain, Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic, and the Atlantic Ocean - I like it. Upvote
3. A book with a main character who is a teacher, instructor, or professor - easy category, possible upvote
4. A book related to iron or steel - no, I didn’t see anything on the lists I want to read,
5. A book related to a park, such as a national, state, provincial, urban, castle, amusement or skate park. Not sure, I thought this was the one with conservation parks.
6. A book with a First Responder as a featured character - Yes, like it. upvote. The conservation option is my favorite
7. An epistolary novel - a book primarily narrated though letters/diary or journal entries/emails/transcripts etc - neutral
8. A book with a main character who has power(s). I like it, upvote
9. A book that quotes or references another work in its title - neutral. Are there newer books?
10. A book where the main characters are siblings - neutral. I read these when I was younger.
11. A book featuring a party or festival - maybe, if the party is a small part of the book.
12. A book that includes a science topic. I love it. Upvote
13. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists. I like it. Upvote
14. A book with a character with one of the jobs in the song 40 Hour Week (for a livin') by Alabama. Maybe - i need to hear it
15. A book about books. Easy category, possible upvote
I have 10 possible upvotes. The job prompts are competing with one another, and aren’t in my tbr. I Want more challenge so I need to dig into the lists.
1. A book involving pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, or pachyderms It's a fun idea, and I like the fact that it's 'involving' which means that the prompt words don't have to be the main feature of the book. I have found a couple of books which are not directly related but would work for me.
2. A book that takes place in a country/place along the path of totality for the 2026 solar eclipse: Spain, Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic, and the Atlantic Ocean
I like this one, and it can be used for a book in translation. We haven't got a translation or similar prompt. An upvote.
3. A book with a main character who is a teacher, instructor, or professor
Can I do it? Very probably. Am I excited by it? No.
4. A book related to iron or steel
Odd, but a possible.
5. A book related to a park, such as a national, state, provincial, urban, castle, amusement or skate park
I like the National Parks element of this so an upvote.
6. A book with a First Responder as a featured character
Can I do it? Very probably. Am I excited by it? No.
7. An epistolary novel - a book primarily narrated though letters/diary or journal entries/emails/transcripts etc
I have changed my mind on this one. I know what I can read for it, and it will be enjoyable. An upvote.
8. A book with a main character who has power(s)
Can I do it? Very probably. Am I excited by it? No.
9. A book that quotes or references another work in its title As a prompt, I like it, but looking at the listopias, I have read so many of the suggestions.
10. A book where the main characters are siblings
Can I do it? Very probably. Am I excited by it? No.
11. A book featuring a party or festival
Can I do it? Very probably. Am I excited by it? No.
12. A book that includes a science topic
Happy with this one
13. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists
Possible upvote
14. A book with a character with one of the jobs in the song 40 Hour Week (for a livin') by Alabama
Song means nothing to me and is very US centric. As far as I am concerned, it's not a song everyone would know, like others we have used for prompts in the past. I want to downvote this, but the jobs themselves would probably lead to some interesting books. Thinking about this one.
15. A book about books.
And finally: Can I do it? Very probably. Am I excited by it? No.
I wondered if I was in a bad mood yesterday when I first looked at the suggestions. Well, I was, but a better mood hasn't altered my views much, except there is nothing that I now actively dislike, I am just very neutral on the majority of these.
Rachel wrote: "3. A book with a main character who is a teacher, instructor, or professor - For some reason I was convinced we had something like this already, but I checked and we don't. I really like this idea though so it's likely an upvote! ..."You're right, we do have something similar already - professor is one of the Cluedo/Clue occupations.
Martha wrote: "First Impressions:1. Pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, pachyderms: Neutral for now. If this gets in I'll likely read about puppy development because I'm a puppy foster parent and I like to read..."
FYI Martha, my favorite book on puppy development is Another Piece of the Puzzle: Puppy Development. I was a dog trainer/behavior consultant for 30+ years. a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Behavior and Training. I specialized in puppies and their development. My favorite book on raising puppies after they are adopted is Puppy Savvy: The Pocket Guide to Raising Your Dog Without Going Bonkers By: Shumannfang, Barbara . Another brilliant one - for all ages! - is Puppy Training for Kids: Teaching Children the Responsibilities and Joys of Puppy Care, Training, and Companionship. I'm sure you're aware that there's a lot of awful material out there, feel free to contact me privately if you ever want more info or recs.
Judy wrote: "First impressions. 5. A book related to a park, such as a national, state, provincial, urban, castle, amusement or skate park. Not sure, I thought this was the one with conservation parks..."
"Such as" indicates that your book can be related to any kind of park you like. These are just examples -- however, national, state, provincial, and urban parks are conservation parks, according to the definition, "an area of protected land available for public use and recreation." If you're thinking of, say safari parks like Kruger in South Africa, or zoos, those would count as parks, too.
LeahS wrote: "1. A book involving pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, or pachyderms It's a fun idea, and I like the fact that it's 'involving' which means that the prompt words don't have to be the main featur..."
Your mood has definitely improved, you've doubled the number of suggestions that aren't in the category "over my dead body"! :D
Mod
Dixie wrote: "LeahS wrote: "1. A book involving pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, or pachyderms It's a fun idea, and I like the fact that it's 'involving' which means that the prompt words don't have to be t..."
LMAO
Mod
Oh, I waited 35 minutes and the meeting never let people in! A note went out today "we didn't realize we had to let people in." Just give me the money and let it be done (this was the Cultural Council which gives money to cultural orgs in town).
Town meetings disappoint me. I was so excited for my first one when I moved back to New England. I was expecting Gilmore Girls. It was boring! Although I grew to love them in their own strange way, esp when I lived on Cape Cod which is full of whackadoodles. But now I'm in a "city" so no more town meetings, which makes me sad. As annoying as they are, they feel like a pure form of democracy.
I kinda wish the 40-Hour Workweek prompt was "a book featuring a character who has a job featured in a Richard Scarry book" instead. The list would be basically the same, but the prompt itself is a lot funnier. & you could read a book about a worm!
Ciara wrote: "I kinda wish the 40-Hour Workweek prompt was "a book featuring a character who has a job featured in a Richard Scarry book" instead. The list would be basically the same, but the prompt itself is a..."Love this! I've always wanted to drive a Hippoloader, myself.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Terror (other topics)The North Water (other topics)
The North Water (other topics)
The Terror (other topics)
The North Water (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Yōko Ogawa (other topics)Stephan Snyder (Translator) (other topics)
Yōko Ogawa (other topics)
Stephan Snyder (Translator) (other topics)
Voting will open in the morning of Thursday 18 September and the results will be posted in the morning of Monday 22 September (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.
The prompts are:
1. A book involving pirates, puppies, parrots, penguins, or pachyderms
2. A book that takes place in a country/place along the path of totality for the 2026 solar eclipse: Spain, Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic, and the Atlantic Ocean
3. A book with a main character who is a teacher, instructor, or professor
4. A book related to iron or steel
5. A book related to a park, such as a national, state, provincial, urban, castle, amusement or skate park
6. A book with a First Responder as a featured character
7. An epistolary novel - a book primarily narrated though letters/diary or journal entries/emails/transcripts etc
8. A book with a main character who has power(s)
9. A book that quotes or references another work in its title
10. A book where the main characters are siblings
11. A book featuring a party or festival
12. A book that includes a science topic
13. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists
14. A book with a character with one of the jobs in the song 40 Hour Week (for a livin') by Alabama
15. A book about books.
Feel free to discuss the prompts below, but please remember to be respectful to the other group members. Additional information or suggestions for the prompts may also be posted below- the thoughts and ideas post only transfers them from the other thread.
Voting is now open: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...