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[2024] Poll 15 Voting
Edie wrote: "Great middle grade books are well worth reading, better, IMO, than a lot of adult books...."I agree Edie! I didn't return to mid-grade books until I went through a teacher's program in my 40s and had to read mid-grade books for a reading class. I was surprised at how much I liked them! And, before that, I read the Harry Potter series as they were being published since our oldest daughter was reading them.
Some of the things I like about quality mid-grade books: 1) you can usually read them in a few hours (like a novella), 2) the language is clean, 3) there's a theme or message, and 4) you experience life through a child's eyes, which I think is important to remember.
Mod
Upvotes:
2. A book ..."
I think your name is pronounced "Shuh-von", is that correct?
I ended up doing 8 upvotes. It was a stellar list of prompts this week. Well done everyone.Other than the Ludo prompt, there wasn't really one that I couldn't find a book for.
Now it's going to be a really long wait until Thursday.
Mod
I’m on my phone so not sure if this will work but this is the 2023 one.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1......"
dalex wrote: "There are listopias for the ATY best books of the month.
The mods add books from the discussion and people add directly to the listopias."
Awesome. Thanks both of you. I had no idea those existed.
I decided to go 5 up and 3 down. I was on the fence with the Leap prompt but decided to vote up since I feel it works for speculative fiction and magical realism since they often require a leap of faith to believe the story. We had this discussion last month in our sci-fi book club meeting. Sometimes, you just have to go with the story and not get bogged down with explaining the Hows. I hope to find something with time travel, maybe a short story in a collection. It’s one of those prompts that I’ll just trust that the right book will appear and I won’t plan for it. I also like it for a book that has a non-linear storyline.
Mod
This is not my favorite poll but I was still able to go back t..."
It's always SO long! I like the rounds I forget about it but those are rare! Thursday is far!
Pamela wrote: " It's always SO long! I like the rounds I forget about it but those are rare! Thursday is far! "
When I initially checked this morning before putting on my glasses and I read it as Tuesday instead of Thursday, so it feels even longer this time.
Mod
3 up and 5 down this week. Not my favorite list of options... and I see others loved them. Here's to diversity in ideas and what we like to read.
Sorry, I can’t remember if I hit submit on my voting form. I came back to the app and it showed the black voting page so now I’m confused. Could someone check whenever they get a chance. No rush.
Mod
It went through!
NancyJ wrote: "Rachel wrote: "First impressions (before reading anything in this thread): 1. A book with a sound-related word in the title - I like this a lot! Possible upvote
2. A book related to the theme of..."
I think it's actually my rejects challenge of prompts I voted for last year for ATY that didn't make it
dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned the most common ones but he never uses them himself."I’ve learned to recogniz..."
I'm also on the spectrum =)! I do enjoy idioms but they can sometimes be difficult for my brain as well. I find I can't hear "A fish out of water" without literally picturing a fish out of water, lol. Strangely the prompt "A book with a leap" is the one that is really bugging my brain. I get the idea but my brain keeps insisting on wanting to read it literally, which doesn't make a lot of sense, at least not to me, lol. And even the idea of seeing a leap on the cover bothers my brain as that doesn't fit "with a leap" but rather "has a leap on the cover". No shade to the prompt, this is totally a me thing.
Erin wrote: "dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned the most common ones but he never uses them himself."I’ve learn..."
I'm not voting for "fish out of water", but my reason is that I was trying to listen to Out of the Blue and I wasn't liking it, and it was about an almost literal fish (mermaid) out of water. I'm sure I would ordinarily like the prompt and if it gets in, I'll find something, but this book spoiled it for me for now!
Jennifer W wrote: "Erin wrote: "dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned the most common ones but he never uses them himself...."Jennifer, it sounds like you you need something more realistic. Have you tried any books involving immigrant characters? I love reading about different cultures, and sometimes I learn interesting things about my own culture by seeing it through someone else’s eyes.
Another good book for this prompt is Project Hail Mary. Everyone seems to like it.
Years ago, I was reading a series about a mermaid who spent part of the time on land. I thought it was really funny at the time. A year later I realized it was really dumb. The book didn’t change, it’s just that my job got a lot easier, so I needed better books to keep me interested. Now that I’m retired, I need a lot more challenge and variety. (Alzheimer’s runs in my family, and I have some symptoms, so reading about new topics is a big part of my prevention plan.)
The quality of my reading was always inversely related to the quality of my job. When my work was the most challenging I needed easy books to help me relax. If my job was boring or slow, I needed books that could challenge me. I wonder if this is true for other people too.
Erin wrote: "dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned the most common ones but he never uses them himself."I’ve learn..."
@dalex, @erin
Do you have any interest in reading about immigrants or migrants, or people in different cultures? That’s what I would read for fish out of water. Most of the books I like with child protagonists are about immigrants too.
How about
A book with a character who immigrates, migrates or relocates to another country.
NancyJ wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Erin wrote: "dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned the most common ones but he never..."I'm suffering from ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and this year is marvelous for I've been able to read far more books than I've been able to for years. Before (many years ago now) I was a top student at the university and I was always reading until I reached a point when I couldn't even read good night stories to my children. That was such a nightmare, I didn't know what was happening to me. I couldn't even understand the numbers on the buses which led me to take the wrong buses, coming late.
I can tell you more about my life circumstances at a later point, for now I will just share my happiness of being a reader again. Even though I still get stuck when my brain simply switches off. But I certainly do understand the need of interchangeability between easy reading and demanding, intellectual literature to give my brain a chance. And mixing physical books with audiobooks to help my brain relax.
I do hope you won't get Alzheimer's. 🙏🌺
Anastasia wrote: "@ I, too, don't see the appeal of reading middle grade books."As readers, I think we have a responsibility to the younger generation in encouraging them to read. I think that it is a great idea to read a new good quality book (thus winning an award) that we can recommend to our younger family and friends.
Nike wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Erin wrote: "dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned the most common on..."Thanks Nike, I just sent you a private message. I think I would like a prompt for my rejects challenge - read a book about the epidemic of women with mysterious illnesses. There are a bunch of books about this now.
Nike, sorry to hear about your illness and its effects. My daughter had similar symptoms after Covid, but fortunately not long term. I think Long Covid has sparked more interest in the way viruses can affect our bodies, brains and thinking, so that these symptoms are not dismissed as some sort of hysteria.
Nancy - would you be willing to put your idea forward as a suggestion for the main challenge?
I’ve read a few books with central characters called Ludo:The Kites
Humble by Nature
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont
Also, for middle grade readers, The Bare Bum Gang book series includes a Ludo.
NancyJ wrote: "Another Resource for Fish Out of WaterThe Fish out of water list needs to be updated. If anyone can help I'd appreciate it.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
This Im..."
What about time travel books where they have to figure out how to talk, act, dress in order to fit in to the new time period?
Erin wrote: "I do enjoy idioms but they can sometimes be difficult for my brain as well. I find I can't hear "A fish out of water" without literally picturing a fish out of water, lol...."I am not on the spectrum (so far as I know! I mean, I might be ... when I was little, these things were not diagnosed or even talked about, the idea of "the spectrum" didn't exist yet) and I do not like the idiom "fish out of water" because yes, I cannot help picturing a fish out of water, and I feel SO BAD for the fish, poor thing, flopping around. It is not a fun image for me, so I don't like the category as it is written.
I WOULD like reading a book about an immigrant or someone who feels out of place or like an alien (or an actual alien), but I can't vote for it as it's written. Poor fish!!
If we MUST have an idiom or familiar phrase, I'd be much more likely to vote for "Stranger in a strange land."
6 up/2 down. Looking forward to Thursday but i hate to wish away the week. A book with a sound-related word in the title-reminds me of a previous prompt somewhere that had onomatopoeia (I didn't like it then but i will read hoot or whatever if it makes it)-downvote
A book that incorporates the theme of a Las Vegas hotel-I think i down voted it last time, this time i downvote again
A main character that is mad, bad, or dangerous-it's ok but wanted something more specific-neutral.
A book related to Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking-Glass- i like this one so many ways i can take it-i think i will ponder this for awhile-also it's an attraction in Disneyland Paris so i might go something related to amusement parks if nothing else?
A book with a leap-neutral. Read a lot of time travel with book club this year but I think i have something that would work.
A middle grade book that was nominated for or won an award such as the Newbery, Caldecott, or Carnegie - upvote. I think i have a couple that have been on my list for years.
A book that includes a love story-been reading a bunch of that this year for different challenges-neutral.
A character that is a fish out of water-another neutral. Might do a book related to neurodivergency.
A book with a 2 word title in the format: The ______ - i feel like a bunch of books on my list would fit this so i went with it.
A book related to the Addams Family -different enough i think i can find something.
A book related to one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse -another neutral one-if i make it might read something "biblically-based"
A book with a character dealing with mental health or cognitive challenges-upvote got a couple ideas in mind relating to autism or alzheimer's.
A book connected to a board game Ludo (also known as Man, Don't Get Angry)-neutral. I am a big game person but i don't know if i have anything on my super long list.
A book with a child character-might finally read Maus or that graphic novel with a WW2 character (can't remember name)
A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2023 or 2024-neutral. I never vote for these but i know this is an easy one for me (probably)
NancyJ wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Erin wrote: "dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned the most common ones but he never..."I read "fish out of water" stories all the time, I'm sure. It's just my brain being weird at the moment and unable to untangle the prompt from the yucky book! lol
My brain just made another connection, I'm remembering a middle grade book where the cover is literally a fish jumping out of a bowl. I think it is a book about autism/Asperger's, but I'm not remembering the title.
Mary wrote: "6 up/2 down. Looking forward to Thursday but i hate to wish away the week. A book with a sound-related word in the title-reminds me of a previous prompt somewhere that had onomatopoeia (I didn't l..."
They Called Us Enemy?
Mary wrote: "A book with a sound-related word in the title-reminds me of a previous prompt somewhere that had onomatopoeia (I didn't l..."I hope people don't downvote it thinking it has to be onomatopoeia. That is not what was intended as I agree onomatopoeia in the title was hard to find.
Jennifer W wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Erin wrote: "dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned the most common on..."I have that same problem with some prompts. It is not so much the prompt I dislike but rather a book/s I disliked from previously having a prompt. This year, I’m not looking forward to the senior prompt because the past two times I have had it as a challenge prompt I have chosen disappointing books.
@Sonia My children are past that stage of life. I also don't work with children anymore. When or if I have grandchildren, I will read those books with them gladly. Until that time, I will enjoy reading more challenging material for myself.
3 up and 5 down this time. There were some that I couldn't really relate to, but don't mind if they get in. I did upvote the Addams Family (only one I can remember at this time).
Jennifer W wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Erin wrote: "dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned the most common on..."I can think of two books with goldfish that are middle grade that you may be thinking of:
Rules by Lord, Cynthia (2006) Hardcover by Cynthia Lord — there is a goldfish in a bowl, but it's not jumping out. Characters include a younger brother who is on the spectrum, and it is a middle grade book.OR
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper — DOES have a goldfish jumping out of the bowl on the cover, but the main character has cerebral palsy. Also a middle grade/YA book.Both of these books have won awards, so would fit the proposed prompt.
Book Concierge wrote: "I'm in my 70s .. I read middle-grade books so I can connect with the younger set among my friends / relatives. (And know which books to give as gifts.)I love the delight in a child's eyes when I ..."
My granddaughter was excited to recommend a "witchy" book to me... and she spent some time deciding among several books she had read that would have fit the prompt.
I upvoted 3 of the pop-culture prompts. It may seem like a lot, but I find that they are a very efficient way to provided lots of options, without being too open. Plus I had books for each of these that I really want to read.2. A book that incorporates the theme of a Las Vegas hotel - using one of these themes: Paris, Nature, Pirates, or Circus
4. A book related to Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking-glass - using this either for Mushrooms (Nike - thank you for finding another way to work this in!) or Underground
10. A book related to the Addams Family - using this either for Disembodied Hand (thank for this Rachel) or Found Family
OTHER UPVOTES
3. A main character that is mad, bad, or dangerous - using this to get in my anti-hero books that didn't make it last round
5. A book with a leap - I have PLENTY of time travel/time leap books to use for this
8. A character that is a fish out of water - on the listopia provided for examples I had read 9 of the top 12 books on the list, plus many more down the list, as well as having lots marked 'Want to Read', so obviously I enjoy this idea!
9. A book with a 2 word title in the format: The ______ - I own two books that fit this prompt, plus more on my wishlist, and was disappointed that Single Word Title didn't work for them (even though Single Word Title was my suggestion...)
12. A book with a character dealing with mental health or cognitive challenges - very interested in reading about Autism (so much variety (edit: to learn about)) and Alzheimer's (have had it in my family, plus I have a book on my TBR that I REALLY want to read)
THESE ARE PROMPTS I'D BE FINE WITH, BUT DON'T HAVE BOOKS THAT I ALREADY REALLY WANT TO READ
1. A book with a sound-related word in the title
6. A middle grade book that was nominated for or won an award such as the Newbery, Caldecott, or Carnegie
7. A book that includes a love story
14. A book with a child character
15. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2023 or 2024
THESE ARE PROMPTS I'M JUST NOT FINDING ANY STRONG CONNECTION TO
11. A book related to one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse
13. A book connected to a board game Ludo (another name for the game is Man, Don't Get Angry)
Nadine in NY wrote: "Erin wrote: "I do enjoy idioms but they can sometimes be difficult for my brain as well. I find I can't hear "A fish out of water" without literally picturing a fish out of water, lol...."I am ..."
@NancyJ @Nadine
I really like the idea of "Stranger in a strange land." Both fish out of water and the immigrant prompt are fine but I would probably not vote for them. That doesn't mean I don't like them but would prioritize other prompts over them to fit my tastes. I think I would definitely vote for "Stranger in a strange land" though. =)
Tracy wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Erin wrote: "dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned..."I may have combined the 2! Thanks for tracking them down. :)
I wonder if last week’s record turn out will be maintained
@Ellie, thank you so much for suggesting the sound-related title prompt! I really appreciate it, I've been unable to keep up with this year's discussions due to a hectic schedule. And yes, I'll also reiterate that this isn't meant to be another onomatopoeia prompt (which I also found extremely difficult), it's just one of many ways to interpret it! I realized I didn't list any examples of books that fit so I'll paste some that come to mind here:
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor - thought of this first because of the middle grade book discussion!
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Native Speaker by Chang-Rae Lee
The Raging Quiet by Sherryl Jordan
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Bel Canto by Ann Pratchett
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom by Tsugumi Ohba
Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
Looser interpretation could include:
- homophones to sound-related words in the title, like The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (symbol for cymbal) and Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins (Belle for bell).
- Including series names, like A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin.
Another, more difficult option, could be book titles that are the names or lyrics of songs, like Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.
Irene wrote: "@Ellie, thank you so much for suggesting the sound-related title prompt! I really appreciate it, I've been unable to keep up with this year's discussions. I realized I didn't list any examples of..."
Even though I didn't have room to upvote this prompt, I'd be very happy it if made it in. If I'd had just one more vote to use it would have got to "A book with a sound-related word in the title"!
Tracy wrote: "Even though I didn't have room to upvote this prompt, I'd be very happy it if made it in. If I'd had just one more vote to use it would have got to "A book with a sound-related word in the title"!"Thanks Tracy!! I wish I had time to bring it up earlier in the voting process but better late than never :D
Irene wrote: "@Ellie, thank you so much for suggesting the sound-related title prompt! I really appreciate it, I've been unable to keep up with this year's discussions. I realized I didn't list any examples of..."
Thanks for posting this. I didn’t vote yet so it helps. I’ll add
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan (audio fans will know her)
Listening Still by the author of When All Is Said
NancyJ wrote: "Thanks for posting this. I didn’t vote yet so it helps. I’ll add..."Nancy, I love that both of the words in Listening Still are sound-related since still also means silent!
Erin wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Erin wrote: "I do enjoy idioms but they can sometimes be difficult for my brain as well. I find I can't hear "A fish out of water" without literally picturing a fish out of wat..."I like that title, but it’s too late to change it. Stranger in a strange land’ is a great book that is actually on the listopia for this prompt. If you want to read it, or another book that fits the concept, please vote for the version on the ballot this round. This is the last chance this year. Otherwise, feel free to submit your version next year. I’ll vote for it.
NancyJ wrote: "Erin wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Erin wrote: "I do enjoy idioms but they can sometimes be difficult for my brain as well. I find I can't hear "A fish out of water" without literally picturing a fi..."Sorry why is it the last chance this year? We must have at least one more poll to go ( unless something very improbable happens)
NancyJ wrote: "Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan (audio fans will know her).."I just started listening to this one today :)
Thomas wrote: " sorry why .."You know why. If a prompt loses and gets posted again the very next round - regardless of the title - it usually loses votes. Not always, but even a close call won't guarantee it will win next time.
I know the concept has a lot of fans, so maybe it has already won. We'll see. A lot of us love the kind of books that help us to see the world from a completely different perspective. It builds empathy and expands your world view. But others are just struggling to get through the day as it is, and they want light entertainment. I know that. I've been there. (Sookie Stackhouse was once my go-to after a stressful week.) We all have different tastes at different times in our lives. Next year might be different.
If people were focused on other prompts and didn't look at the list of books, they might not realize that they have books on their TBR that fit. Maybe next year a new title will get new people to take a closer look at it.
If there is anyone (other than me) that hasn't voted yet, I'll give it one last shot for this year: If you want to read Strangers in a Strange land, or First Contact books with aliens or natives, or books about immigrants, culture shock, the new kid at school, or the first Asian in a grad program, or an American working in India, then consider this prompt. If you want a book about what it's like to be "the other" than vote for fish out of water.
Before I vote, I'm going to take another look at the prompts that I'm sick of hearing about. Since I'm asking people to do the same. I have one more upvote this week, in my year of all upvotes.
Bec wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan (audio fans will know her).."I just started listening to this one today :)"
Oh good. I hope you like it. I love her voice, and she even made an impression on me as a child actress. Let us know if you like it.
Tracy wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Erin wrote: "dalex wrote: "Nike wrote: "My youngest son has Asperger syndrome and as a child he really struggled with idioms. Now he has learned..."I didn't know Out of My Mind was a Middle grades book. It sounds like it would be for more mature readers. I think the industry has changed a lot from when I was a kid. I think I unknowingly read more Middle Grade books in the last couple years than I did when I was in Middle School. (I was busy sneaking books like The Godfather from my father's bookshelf.
I'm voting for this awards prompt, and also the Child Character. I'm shopping for children's books again now that I have a great niece (age 3) who loves to read. I'm still hoping for a grandkid of my own. (I met my son's girlfriend on the phone tonight, and I like her already. His last one didn't like to read.)
NancyJ wrote: "Thomas wrote: " sorry why .."You know why. If a prompt loses and gets posted again the very next round - regardless of the title - it usually loses votes. Not always, but even a close call won't ..."
I needed this, NancyJ - I haven't voted yet and am going to have another, GOOD look at the prompts.
NancyJ wrote: If there is anyone (other than me) that hasn't voted yet, I'll give it one last shot for this year: If you want to read Strangers in a Strange land, or First Contact books with aliens or natives, or books about immigrants, culture shock, the new kid at school, or the first Asian in a grad program, or an American working in India, then consider this prompt. If you want a book about what it's like to be "the other" than vote for fish out of water.I just bought True Biz which would fit Fish out of Water very well, if I can hold off reading it until next year :)
I was going to downvote this, your message changed it to an upvote :)
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
True Biz (other topics)When All Is Said (other topics)
Listening Still (other topics)
Thank You for Listening (other topics)
Six of Crows (other topics)
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Challenger Deep - This is going on my new shelf for books to listen to with my son in the car. He taught me all about..."
Tracy wrote: "KP wrote: "Pam wrote: “Challenger Deep” is the first book th..."
Challenger Deep - This is going on my new shelf for books to listen to with my son in the car. He taught me all about the Marianas ..."
KP - I agree with Tracy that the book is targeted more for the ages 13+. I think it's a good one to experience together! It might generate some discussion.