[2026] Poll 15 Voting

[Jillian]

Deborah wrote: "Oh, I always go back and vote for the books I posted as well as any others I recommend or am interested in. Not just random books.

"

For me, it is difficult to qualify a book as the best book I read that month. I think, the list is great especially for those who have no problem defining a book as the their best read for the month. So voting for books is my way of contributing (though this year has been medically tough so I haven't participated much).

[Kendra]

I always vote for the books I pick as my best books so the mods don't have to add them to the list, and then I stalk the threads and anytime some else posts a book I enjoyed, I vote for it too. And I know there have been some members in the past who just added their books to the listopia without posting to the threads, so I stalk the listopia too😉

[John]

I voted #15 down primarily because I finish the ATY challenge by August. I realize that I could keep one unread until later in 2026; however, my compulsion to finish as early as i can prevents me from doing this.

[LeahS]

I had the same problem! I suppose the answer would be to start reading at the end of this December, and let the book run on into January 2026.

[Tracy]

Misty wrote: "...10. A book with a character who is passing: Downvote - just no. ..."

I'm sorry to hear that Misty. Totally understandable. I had a similar feeling about our "fire" prompt this year, as I live in wildfire country and am really jumpy about that topic.

Hugs

[Ciara]

For best books, I literally use math to rank my books. It's still subjective, but it tells me exactly what book I ranked highest each month. I use the CAWPILE system. Each book gets a ranking of 1-10 in seven categories: characters, atmosphere, writing, plot, intrigue, logic, & overall experience. I tally up the points & whatever book gets the most wins. I made a little chart for myself breaking point totals down into star ratings.

Since I started using this system, my overall rating average has gone up a bit. (Though that could also because I don't hate-read anymore--too many good books to waste my time on things I know I'll hate!) If 5 out of 10 is average, it takes a lot for me go below that, & a book has to be really bad for me to go under five in every category. But it also means a book has to be near-flawless to earn 5 stars.

[Pearl]

My pick for the best book of September is also my favorite for the year. It fits the forbidden topics suggestion.

The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra.
5+ stars
Prompt- weird title or art.
Why it’s the best : it’s a stunning set of interwoven stories about life in the former USSR. My favorite character is an artist whose job is to alter paintings to erase people from pictures and history. People were forbidden to discuss the people who were disappeared. They were to destroy pictures of their own family members.

[NancyJ]

Pearl wrote: "My pick for the best book of September is also my favorite for the year. It fits the forbidden topics suggestion.

The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra.
5..."

Great example of a forbidden topic. I thought of this book when our government starting taking down statues and erasing the contributions of black people and other diverse Americans. At the Smithsonian, they wanted to take down an installation about the Enola Gay. Because it’s gay. 🤣😂. I try to a laugh at this stuff so I don’t cry.

Political correctness has cost a lot of public people their jobs. Both sides have been guilty of overreacting at times.

[NancyJ]

I changed my votes every day, and I ended up with 8 upvotes. The 3 that never changed were ATY BOM, Bohemian Rhapsody and forbidden topic. I have something for all 15 prompts.

Did everyone see all the new books that were added to the Aty Best book of the month lists? There are new ones from January to September, Jackie has kept busy updating the list every day. Thanks Jackie !

Check out the listopia.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

There is something on the list for every taste. (I really need to check out the “In Death” series.)

[Dixie]

NancyJ wrote: "I changed my votes every day, and I ended up with 8 upvotes. The 3 that never changed were ATY BOM, Bohemian Rhapsody and forbidden topic. I have something for all 15 prompts.

Did everyone see al..."

Yes! I can't recall who it was who said only about 20 people had books on those lists, but she certainly galvanized a bunch of us into action! I keep checking the list and there are always new additions.

[Deborah]

Dixie wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I changed my votes every day, and I ended up with 8 upvotes. The 3 that never changed were ATY BOM, Bohemian Rhapsody and forbidden topic. I have something for all 15 prompts.

Did ..."

I've added so many books to my list because of this.

[NancyJ]

Deborah wrote: "Dixie wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I changed my votes every day, and I ended up with 8 upvotes. The 3 that never changed were ATY BOM, Bohemian Rhapsody and forbidden topic. I have something for all 15 p..."

Me too! I’m not sure I picked something for every single month yet, but I found a lot more books I want to read. Every time I refreshed my notifications there were new posts in the folder.

[Irene]

Thanks everyone for adding to those threads!

@Deborah, I appreciate you asking! But unfortunately it's not due to genre (although some of my favorite genres are almost never posted in the threads, like historical romance), but because of the way I approach the challenge: I prioritize my~200 physical unread books first, then my ~100 unread ebooks, then the remaining ~200 books on my TBR. So I have about 500 options that I give myself for this challenge.

@Other Amy, I've thought about that!! I still wouldn't be able to plan ahead for it but it's definitely a good way to approach the prompt if I read some good books that don't fit any other prompt.

@Nancy, unfortunately I haven't found my book twin yet but I'm always looking!

[Nike]

Where do I list my favourite book of the month?

[Dixie]

Nike wrote: "Where do I list my favourite book of the month?"
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Under Best Books of (whatever month).

[Dubhease]

This is this year's list

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

[Nike]

Dixie wrote: "Nike wrote: "Where do I list my favourite book of the month?"
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Under Best Books of (whatever month)."

Thank you, I was searching through the home page without finding it.

[Misty]

Tracy wrote: "I'm sorry to hear that Misty. Totally understandable. I had a similar feeling about our "fire" prompt this year, as I live in wildfire country and am really jumpy about that topic.

Hugs"

Thank you. And yikes! Wildfires are scary! I live in the Denver metro area, so we have wildfires not far from us every year, but they are usually in the mountains/foothills. Then a few years ago, we had a massive fire that tore through one of the suburbs and destroyed neighborhoods. All of a sudden, they weren't so far away! They are so scary. Living where they are an imminent danger - I can understand why that would make you jumpy!