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It's now time to get ready to vote for our next set of prompts! But as we discussed before the process began, we are going to open the poll one day after we've gathered the suggestions. This is a good opportunity to ask any question you may have regarding the prompts, make some research or ask for recommendations. I'll try to add the relevant info to the prompt descriptions below as the discussion goes.

Voting will open on 9/9 and results will be posted on 9/14 after 11am EDT.

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 favourite and least favourite prompts (you can also use less than 8 votes)
- The poll will be open for five days, so you don't have to rush and vote straightaway
- The prompts with the more "positive" votes (top minus bottom) will be announced shortly after the end of the poll and added to the final list (expect between 2 and 5 depending on how the votes are spread)
- We are asking people to include their ŷ������ 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 ŷ������ profile, please post your full ŷ������ name with enough identifiable information that we'll be able to access your profile. We’ve introduced this for two reasons:

1. On a few occasions in each poll, people have used more than the allotted number of votes, either because they aren’t familiar with the rules or just by mistake. When this happens our only option is to disregard the vote as we can’t identify the voter to ask them to resubmit. By asking for your profile address we’ll be able to message you and ask you to vote again if you’ve accidentally used more than the allotted number of votes.

2. Unfortunately a very small number of people have voted more than once per poll and so we are asking for this information to prevent duplicate votes.

As a reminder: You have a total of 8 votes to use among your top and bottom votes. The mods have access to each individual vote, so we can see if you use more than 8 votes. If you use more than 8 votes in the poll, your vote will have to be deleted, so please make sure to follow the directions so your voice can be heard.

Poll Entries:
A history or historical fiction
A high fantasy or epic fantasy
A book where faith/religion plays a major role in the plot
A book title using one of the words attributed to Shakespeare for their first use
A book with a historical landmark on its cover or as a setting
A book featuring a scientist, fiction or non-fiction
A book related to birds
A mystery
A book centered on a diaspora experience
Any book by a winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature
A book with a character that is involved in the medical field (doctor, nurse, emt, coroner, medical professor, etc.)
The last/most recent book your favorite author published
A book nominated for the Lambda Literary Award
A book that asks a question in the synopsis (inside flap summary or back-of-the-book description)
An underrated book, a hidden gem or a lesser known book

Vote Here:

Thanks Katie!

I'd be happy with most of these. If people are put off the epic fantasy one because they think they'll need to start a series, I can recommend The Priory of the Orange Tree which is completely standalone.

I'm not 100% sure I know what would count for diaspora, would it be more about refugees (or descendants of refugees) than immigrants in general? I looked at wikipedia but it just made me less sure!

Thank you, Katie!

I assume "a mystery" is meant to imply "a book from the mystery genre" and not just any book in which a mystery is central to the plot?

Does "the last book your favorite author published" mean "the most recent publication by a favorite author"?

For the most, these are good, if uninspired, prompts (in my opinion). I wish there were some qualifiers on the genre prompts but maybe people will actually vote for them if they are really broad and simple.

I like the "hidden gem" prompt even if it is very open to interpretation. It would be interesting to see how people choose for that prompt and it might be a fun way to discover some new books.

Here are some ideas for diaspora:
Popular Diaspora Books - /shelf/show/...

Popular African Diaspora Books- /shelf/show/...

Listopia > Diaspora Book Lists- /list/tag/di...

Ellie wrote: "I'm not 100% sure I know what would count for diaspora."

The definition of a diaspora is
1. the dispersion of people from their homeland and
2. a community formed by people who have exited or been removed from their homeland


So I'm guessing this prompt covers all books that are about
1. someone fleeing their home country or
2. someone living in a foreign county as an immigrant/refugee/etc. or
3. some combination of 1 and 2

The prompt doesn’t say so, but can we assume that the question in the synopsis could also be in the ŷ������ synopsis?

Chrissy, I think you're correct there. It was mentioned in the Wild Discussion a few weeks back.

For hidden gem, I would definitely go with something off the ATY lesser known list: /list/show/1...

I would say that "last book" should probably be changed to say "most recent book" if that's what the poster and seconder intended... I would vote for that, but I wouldn't necessarily vote for it if it's limited to only authors that are dead or retired.

Based on previous discussion, I’d also change it from “your favorite�� to either “a favorite�� or “one of your favorites�� because many people (me included) don’t have a single favorite anything!

If someone could point to a listopia or other resource that lists books with a religion-centered plot that are NOT about Christianity, that would be helpful to me in choosing how to vote.

Chrissy wrote: "If someone could point to a listopia or other resource that lists books with a religion-centered plot that are NOT about Christianity, that would be helpful to me in choosing how to vote."

I just typed religion into list here are some of the lists that came up. I have no idea how good the lists are.

A Buddhist Reading List -/list/show/2...

Notable Atheist Books - /list/show/2...

Wicca and other Pagan-based Fiction-/list/show/5...

Different Takes on Religion & Spirituality-/list/show/2...

Best Books About Islam & Muslims -/list/show/7...

Indian Mythology -/list/show/1...

I see lists for Buddhist, Islam.. even The Best Pagan and an Occult Library. I wonder if a case could be made for anti-religious based books like His Dark Materials series and Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

Thanks, Jillian, some of this is helpful. To clarify, I was wondering about novels with religious characters, not faith guides or non-fiction.

I think Good Omens fits without bending the category, since some of the characters are definitely faithful believers of one kind or another!

Book Riot has 3 lists about religion that I've bookmarked. I like this these two because they are the most inclusive:

Perri wrote: "I see lists for Buddhist, Islam.. even The Best Pagan and an Occult Library. I wonder if a case could be made for anti-religious based books like His Dark Materials series and Good Omens..."

It doesn't say that religion has to be a positive thing, just to play a major role, and it does in both of those.

You could also read about religious cults, like in After the Fire or After Atlas.

I didn't like that prompt when it came round last year but I ended up using it for the polarizing prompt in the end. I read This Green and Pleasant Land but also had Internment as a backup. I am completely non-religious but there are plenty of books I've enjoyed with religion as an important part of the plot.

As it, understandably, the list of words first coined by Shakespeare didn't make it to this thread, I'm reposting it here:



There really are some everyday words on there and some bookish ones:
Assassination, Upstairs and Downstairs, Bet, Bubble, Useful and Useless, Generous, Schoolboy, Rival, Hurry etc. etc.

At a first glance this may be 6 up, 2 down vote split for me. There are a couple I really don't like, but a lot of the rest I like from mildly well to quite a bit. Have to go see what options I can find for some of them to decide what I really want to vote for.

I really love the underrated/hidden gem prompt though! Already hoping that one makes it in.

Yeah, I thought back of the book or inside flap would be better terms to put in the prompt than synopsis since I think some people at first glance wouldn’t know exactly what synopsis refers to! Most of my books�� synopses are the same as what’s on the ŷ������ summary, but I know sometimes they are different.

Does “history�� just mean a non-fiction book about a historical event, person, or place? So essentially the prompt just means read anything with a historical element, non-fiction or fiction?

Meh... I can't get excited about any of these prompts. I probably will vote for some of the genre related prompts, since we don't have many of those and the book by a Noble prize winner for literature. There also aren't any prompts I will feel the need to down vote.

Martha, that first Book Riot post is exactly what I wanted! Tons of great books on there.

I'll be upvoting 8 prompts this time. I have many books listed as want to read for historical fiction, faith/religion playing a role, epic fantasy, the diaspora experience (i'm really excited about that one), mysteries, and books related to birds. I also like the underrated book suggestion and the Lambda Literary Award. I did this prompt for Reading Women this year and now that I know about this award, it's one I'll be following from now on.

Oooh thanks for the idea of reading about a cult for the religion task. I love cult books so that's an upvote for me now.

Martha, those Book Riot religion lists look awesome! I like that there’s a variety of religions on it. It would give me the push to finally read The Dovekeepers or The Name of the Rose.

I just finished The Book of Strange New Things which is a religious book with a Sci Fi slant

Lots of options for the bird prompt. Here are just a few lists to get you started.

Birds on the Cover - /list/show/8...

Birds in the Title - /list/show/8...

Books about birds -

More Books about Birds -

Martha wrote: "Book Riot has 3 lists about religion that I've bookmarked. I like this these two because they are the most inclusive:

..."

Thank you Martha for that list! I voted for this prompt last year and will vote for it again this year! Lots of great options. I've had The Book of Strange New Things on my shelf for years, plus some others that work for Judaism.

I also like the epic fantasy and bird prompts. Not sure about the rest yet.

Avery wrote: "Does “history�� just mean a non-fiction book about a historical event, person, or place? So essentially the prompt just means read anything with a historical element, non-fiction or fiction?"

When I was making the suggestion it was aimed at being a genre prompt for either non-fiction- history or historical fiction. So, I think all your ideas would work.

Chrissy wrote: "Thanks, Jillian, some of this is helpful. To clarify, I was wondering about novels with religious characters, not faith guides or non-fiction.

I think Good Omens fits without bending the category..."

A few lists I've found



/shelf/show/...

/shelf/show/...

/shelf/show/...



/genres/chri...

I'm confused about the disaspora prompt. I think I understand what it means, but the list I was looking at (/shelf/show/...) included things like To All the Boys I've Loved Before, and I don't really see how that fits.

Also, if anyone is looking for some religion-based books, there are some great children's books about Judaism:

- Make a Wish, Molly
- Something From Nothing
- Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins

And some YA books where religion (Christianity, in this case) play a role:
- Quiver
- Devoted
- The Book of Essie

Ugh The Book of Essie was so, so good and perfect for that prompt.

Did we clear up the wording on the author's last book prompt?

I think my questions from earlier got lost in the midst of all the discussion so I’m reposting them:

I assume "a mystery" is meant to imply "a book from the mystery genre" and not just any book in which a mystery is central to the plot?

Does "the last book your favorite author published" mean "the most recent publication by a favorite author"?

I don't think the questions were lost, the original person just likely hasn't been in the thread yet :)

Okay yep I have a problem with the last book from your favourite author. I literally do not have a favourite author. I have many I enjoy, and read all their stuff, so this is either impossible, or a gimme for me.

High fantasy I really enjoy so I like this one. Gives a good reason to read some of the longer books on my TBR.

I would propose that it be re-worded to:

The most recent book by one of your favorite authors

I like that "a mystery" has been left open to interpretation. As it is it includes the genre, but doesn't exclude other options, like non-fiction.

I really like the Shakespeare word, question in the synopsis and historical landmark, they'd give me a treasure hunt through my bookshelves.

Fantasy is one of my favourite genres, so I wouldn't vote for that because a big chunk of my reading will be fantasy without a specific prompt, but I won't be disappointed if it gets in.

Yes Laura, that's exactly what I was hoping it would be reworded to.

dalex wrote: "I think my questions from earlier got lost in the midst of all the discussion so I’m reposting them:

I assume "a mystery" is meant to imply "a book from the mystery genre" and not just any book in..."

A mystery can be either option you mentioned, Dalex. Plus nonfiction, as Marie mentioned. I left it open to interpretation.

Pam wrote: "Martha wrote: "Book Riot has 3 lists about religion that I've bookmarked. I like this these two because they are the most inclusive:

..."

I loved Book of Strange New Things. I think about it all the time!
It's a perfect choice for this prompt.

Emily wrote: "I would say that "last book" should probably be changed to say "most recent book" if that's what the poster and seconder intended... I would vote for that, but I wouldn't necessarily vote for it if..."

Oh, Emily, I never thought of the prompt in those terms. I was thinking the prompt meant the author's book that was published last which I guess would be the most recent....I wasn't the person who suggested this prompt..but it has many ways to interpret it.

I loved The Book of Strange New Things, too, Martha & Pam. Another great one that makes you think about science and its impact on religion (and vice versa) is Contact by Carl Sagan.

Martha wrote: "Pam wrote: "Martha wrote: "Book Riot has 3 lists about religion that I've bookmarked. I like this these two because they are the most inclusive: ht..."

Right? I gave it five stars. Have you read The Sparrow ?

Stacey, that's on my TBR list. I need to bump it up!

Perry - Yes to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell! That is a terrific sci-fi book with a religious/spiritual theme.

I personally think that the wording of the "last book" is fine. The most recently published book is the last one the author has published. But if the author is dead, then their last published one is the "last" book, but using the word recent doesn't make sense to me when applied to a deceased author.

Pam wrote: "Perry - Yes to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell! That is a terrific sci-fi book with a religious/spiritual theme."


But from my experience the chance of this going forth is slight. Maybe a topic your mom said never to discuss... religion/politics/sex

Perri wrote: "Pam wrote: "Perry - Yes to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell! That is a terrific sci-fi book with a religious/spiritual theme."


But from my experience the chance of this going forth is slight. Ma..."

That would be an interesting option, Perri! I'm not especially religious but find universal themes to be fascinating. I'll always choose universal themes when I'm voting.

I tried reading The Sparrow but I didn't finish it. It might be time for another try.

I just found another Book Riot list that might work for the religion prompt. Maybe even for a separate future prompt since it would fit with a Fall theme:

Martha, those are excellent choices!

viemag wrote: "Emily wrote: "I would say that "last book" should probably be changed to say "most recent book" if that's what the poster and seconder intended... I would vote for that, but I wouldn't necessarily ..."

I was the one that suggested the prompt. For me it could mean the most recent, but as mentioned it was a bit weird for dead authors. I struggled with the wording of this prompt. I don't mind changing the wording if most people think most recent sounds better.

I don't think I'll be using any downvotes this week. I had a proper look the the Nobel winners and I'd be happy to read Kazuo Ishiguro or Svetlana Alexievich if that one gets through.

The favourite author one has a bit too much overlap with other prompts (2020 release and book by an author who wrote one of your favourites from 2018/19) but honestly it's easy enough for me to read another new release. I suppose it depends on what kind of authors your favourites are.