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Another round of results for Poll 14!

Top
A book set in the winter
A book that involves digging up the past
A book by an Irish author

Bottom
A book related to LIVE, LAUGH, or LOVE
A book that is the source for one of the quotes from
A book with a character who struggles with fame or notoriety
A book on a Modern Mrs Darcy Book List
A book or author that has been controversial

Polarizing
A book related to mushrooms, moss, or meadows
A book relating to the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman, or the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz

The next round of suggestions will open around noon on Monday, September 23.

And a note: Our close calls poll will replace Poll 16. We will *not* have suggestions that week, but rather, we will be using our close calls list (and a select few others with high net votes to get to 15 prompts). That list will be posted on the day suggestions would have opened for Poll 16.

I voted for Irish author. The other too aren't hard and they aren't boring.

The one issue we had on another group when they had a winter prompt was the debate between the literalists (Winter starts December 21) vs if it's set in December and/or involves snow, it's a winter book.

(will updated the threads and spreadsheets and such later on after breakfast)

Are we already close to the end? I feel like there are big topics missing still.

Were there any prompts this round that were almost close calls ?

How did science gone bad do? I keep thinking of new books that fit in different ways. (Google AI really missed the mark on that one.)

Well I didn't vote (either up or down) for any of the ones that made it in.

I voted DOWN on three of the ones in the Bottom

And the Polarizing ones ... I voted up on one, and down on the other.

Love the idea that poll 16 will be made up of "close calls"

NancyJ, we currently have 40 prompts.

I was really hoping for the mushrooms and meadows and didn’t really expect my science/tech suggestion to get in. I was neutral on all the upvotes. That said, my three downvotes got bottomed so�� win?

Even though I suggested it, I'm quite surprised Irish author got in. I'm happy about digging up the past too.

Jillian wrote: "NancyJ, we currently have 40 prompts."

Phew! Thanks Jillian. I’m on the sidelines this year. Last year I think I had them all memorized by this point.

MJ wrote: "I was really hoping for the mushrooms and meadows and didn’t really expect my science/tech suggestion to get in. I was neutral on all the upvotes. That said, my three downvotes got bottomed so�� win?"

Wasn’t it a close call last time? We really need something related to science or the environment.

This was a pretty definitive poll. There was at least 20 net votes difference between the tops and the next closest prompts.

We do already have “set in nature�� and “alternative timelines�� - both of which could skew science/sci-fi.

Here's the "set in snow" listopia from this year's Popsugar challenge, maybe it will help trigger ideas for "set in winter"

/list/show/1...

NancyJ wrote: "MJ wrote: "I was really hoping for the mushrooms and meadows and didn’t really expect my science/tech suggestion to get in. I was neutral on all the upvotes. That said, my three downvotes got botto..."

Yes, it was a close call, and someone mentioned then that it should be suggested again later in the polling. Oh well!

Great results! I've read quite a few books I really liked by Irish authors, I always enjoy hunting for books based by season, and the past one will be a fun scavenger hunt.

I have to admit that I'm pleased about the bottoms. I really disliked most of those.

I'm not surprised my LIVE LAUGH LOVE got bottomed. I really only suggested it because it made me laugh.

I read Glorious Exploits this year by the Irish author Ferdia Lennon and really enjoyed it. He hasn't written any other books yet, but when he does, I'll read them.

I like these and voted for two of them - not Irish author because I read several last year, but there's still a wide range to choose from. I think Sandra's sold me on Glorious Exploits!

I think all the bottomed prompts match my downvotes. The top prompts I either voted for or would have if I’d had more votes. Bummed that Mushroom, Moss or Meadows didn’t get in. I have the feeling Wizard of Oz would have had a better chance had we not already had some prompts that involved a group of possible interpretations (like the Ben & Jerry’s type prompts).

I am very curious why some people are so enthusiastic about the mushroom prompt. Haha. Whatever this mushroom book is, couldn’t y’all just use it for the nature prompt?

Winners were all upvotes for me, so happy. Still disappointed about the mushrooms LOL

I read a number of biology related books each year, a mix of fiction and nonfiction. The mushroom idea is novel and would make a space for one of a few books I’ve been meaning to get to. Same reason people vote for many prompts, I expect!

dalex wrote: "I am very curious why some people are so enthusiastic about the mushroom prompt. Haha. Whatever this mushroom book is, couldn’t y’all just use it for the nature prompt?"

I think a few people are vocal but clearly the majority doesn't care. I'm personally not a fan- I like mushrooms in my food and my new skirt but honestly, the rallying turned me off it.

dalex wrote: "I am very curious why some people are so enthusiastic about the mushroom prompt. Haha. Whatever this mushroom book is, couldn’t y’all just use it for the nature prompt?"

I keep finding the topic of mushrooms everywhere books, news articles, FB, and I was looking "music" on Libby and a mushroom prompt came up. The Dawnhounds is the book that I currently have planned for mushroom and it would not fit nature. Though, I don't think mushroom is going to get in this year so I'm planning on using on the 2024 list "48. A second book that fits your favorite prompt" with my favorite prompt "A book that fits a suggestion that didn’t make the final list".

I thought that the mushroom prompt was the sandwiches or Vegas hotels in that there were so many different kinds of mushroom names that it was a creative prompt that everyone should be able to find a book to read. (Sort of like the Ben and Jerry's prompt)

For me, if I keep seeing the same prompt, I get tired of it and usually downvote it for something new. I like the 3 new prompts but only voted for the Irish author.

As always, if using the Listopia for Irish authors (or any other Listopia), check to be sure they should be on the list.

Patrick Radden Keefe appears twice, but he is American, born in United States.

I can’t remember what I voted for but I like the prompts that won. Honestly I liked almost all of the prompts, but I am beginning to think I’m just not very picky about it. I like having easy prompts for fitting in books I didn’t plan ahead of time, and I also like more challenging prompts because it is fun to try to find a book that fits that I’m also excited to read. So excited to have the final list set and the order set because next year I want to try reading in order :)

Ah, Angela, I added him because he appears on multiple lists I found of Irish authors. How annoying!

Patrick Radden Keefe wrote a nonfiction book about Ireland and has Irish ancestry but despite those connections he’s an American author.

I downvoted winter so I’m going to look for books about tropical winter get-aways! I was neutral on Irish author but have a book on hold that will fit. ‘Digging up the past�� was another downvote, but I upvoted struggling with fame or noteriety. I think I can shoehorn it into the winner.

I am also suffering from mushroom prompt fatigue. It seems that it was suggested in 2023 for this year as well and didn’t make it. Wizard of Oz also feels like it is vaguely overdone. I just don’t get the excitement unless it’s the Oz connection for Aussies.

Dubhease wrote: "I voted for Irish author. The other too aren't hard and they aren't boring.

The one issue we had on another group when they had a winter prompt was the debate between the literalists (Winter start..."

I loathe that sort of discussion since calendar season starts on the solstices and equinoxes are arbitrary and not accurate. People should be able to choose based on average temperatures (for most places Dec-Feb, June-Aug downunder) OR by real life because if you live far enough north winter is longer than three months!

I think I downvoted that one, but if not I didn't upvote it for sure;.

Karin wrote: "calendar season starts on the solstices and equinoxes are arbitrary and not accurate. People should be able to choose based on average temperatures (for most places Dec-Feb, June-Aug downunder) OR by real life because if you live far enough north winter is longer than three months!"

yes, agree that strictly following the calendar isn't helpful. I plan to follow weather and vibes as not all books mention dates anyway. If a character mentions frost and bare trees then I'll assume it's winter.

Dubhease wrote: "I voted for Irish author. The other too aren't hard and they aren't boring.

The one issue we had on another group when they had a winter prompt was the debate between the literalists (Winter start..."

Doesn't "winter" in the Southern Hemisphere (Austrailia) start in June???

I am a Brazilian and find Irish Literature to be so pleasing! I am glad to see it here. It would be nice if we could read an author for each country, from A to Z. But I see why people would not be so enthusiastic about it.

@Jette - I suggested the Wizard of Oz prompt, and it wasn’t because I’m a huge Oz fan (although I do have fond memories of the movie from childhood), and I wasn’t trying to make a connection to Australia.

It seems like we have fun with prompts related to a range of characters with names that give you ideas for characteristics, etc. Like the Spice Girls (some of us knew them, but mostly the names could guide you to a book), or chess pieces, or the Seven Dwarves. Not all familiar groups of characters have names that do that for us. We might all be familiar with The Brady Bunch or Friends, but the names Marcia, Greg, Monica or Chandler don’t give us a lot of range for book choice. The companions in the Wizard of Oz do though. That’s the only reason I suggested it.

We might already be set with those types of prompts this year, so I’m not totally disappointed that it didn’t make it in this year. Maybe earlier next year it will be more appealing?

Tracy wrote: "@Jette - I suggested the Wizard of Oz prompt, and it wasn’t because I’m a huge Oz fan (although I do have fond memories of the movie from childhood), and I wasn’t trying to make a connection to Aus..."

I really liked this idea, and all the suggestions you made for each character. I hope you bring it up again, early next year. Meanwhile it's on the "suggestions that didn't make it" list, which I sometimes do mini-challenges of my own from.

I like the results:) But should there really be a «the» in the winter prompt? It makes my head hurt, lol. In my head it’s better with just ‘set in winter��, not ‘set in *the* winter��. But I’m not a native speaker of English, so please disregard if I’m completely off.

Barbara wrote: "I am a Brazilian and find Irish Literature to be so pleasing! I am glad to see it here. It would be nice if we could read an author for each country, from A to Z. But I see why people would not be ..."

There is a reading challenge for that- I know several people doing it. It's a fascinating challenge!

Finally 2 of my choices through! Yay!
A book by an Irish author & A book that involves digging up the past.

Hilde wrote: "I like the results:) But should there really be a «the» in the winter prompt? It makes my head hurt, lol. In my head it’s better with just ‘set in winter��, not ‘set in *the* winter��. But I’m not a ..."

Both 'set in winter' and 'set in the winter' are grammatically correct (and normal) in English. Ah, English, truly the most confusing language.

Robin H-R wrote: "Doesn't "winter" in the Southern Hemisphere (Austrailia) start in June???.."
Yes, yes it does!

Jette wrote: "Wizard of Oz also feels like it is vaguely overdone. I just don’t get the excitement unless it’s the Oz connection for Aussies.."
Nope, I'm an Aussie and wasn't excited by this one

dalex wrote: "I am very curious why some people are so enthusiastic about the mushroom prompt. Haha. Whatever this mushroom book is, couldn’t y’all just use it for the nature prompt?"
Yeah I'm with you...I downvoted it, I just don't get the appeal.

I upvoted 2 of the tops, funny enough I saw digging up the past and thought, ohh noo..then checked my spreadsheet and I had voted for it and have a book suggestion haha.

WOW lots of bottoms....seems like we really know what we don't want. I only downvoted 1 of the bottoms though - literary clock as I just couldn't understand it. But I'm glad a couple of my other downvotes didn't make it in (classic I'm looking at you!)

These results are a mixed bag for me. Winter is pretty bland and overdone in my opinion, but will be easy to fulfill. I wasn't excited about Irish authors until I saw Catherine Ryan Howard on the list and I already really want to read her next book, so that's a good way to cover that one (although I'd like more than one option, and not much else on the listopia so far is even on my TBR). Digging up the past is a win for me! I voted for that and it's one of my favourite tropes

Bec, the mods were talking about how decisive our group has been this year with the bottom votes. There seems to be a consensus every poll - the bottoms have been getting big numbers lol. I'm not sure if it's the quality of prompt or the mix of voters or what, but the bottom votes have been very clear this year.

I've been "completing" the 2025 challenge with my 2024 books as we've built it and I have some interesting workarounds this time.

Set in the winter: Cold Days (a big plot point is that it's May but the winter court is taking over)

Involves digging up the past: The Woman in Me (Britney Spears dug up some serious dirt in this book)

By an Irish author: Just Stab Me Now (from Belfast, but lives in London. I think she would probably cringe at being called Irish but I'm counting the island not the country)

Oh man! I totally upvoted the fame/notoriety prompt. I really like that one. Oh well, I guess that's what the rejects challenge is for. But I'd take it over Irish authors, which seems like an easy gimme. I mean, Sally Rooney is an Irish author. Anyone who doesn't read Intermezzo this year is probably gonna read it next year, judging by the crushing waves of hype.

dalex wrote: "Patrick Radden Keefe wrote a nonfiction book about Ireland and has Irish ancestry but despite those connections he’s an American author."

I was wondering about him, so I clicked on his books just in case. I might keep my vote for Say Nothing, because his ancestry and connections count a lot in my book. My husband has many relatives who came from Ireland. Their kids and grandkids all describe themselves as Irish even though they were born in America. Two American born sons have dual citizenship. Ancestry and time spent in the country both add a cross cultural perspective that I think is valuable.

NancyJ wrote: "Ancestry and time spent in the country both add a cross cultural perspective that I think is valuable."

It's a valuable perspective but having Irish ancestory or being ethnically Irish isn't the same as being Irish. I know that the definitions are always fairly open but when it comes to nationality and identity it can move into the area of being a little offensive if people use this to seek ways to avoid books from other countries/cultures. In my opinion it's fine when it's a decision for personal reading but not for the recommendations lists which imply authority and a clearer interpretation of the prompts.

Rosalind wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Ancestry and time spent in the country both add a cross cultural perspective that I think is valuable."

It's a valuable perspective but having Irish ancestory or being ethnically Ir..."

Being a New Englander not of Irish ancestry who lived in Ireland, being Irish and Irish-American are two completely different, and in most ways unrelated, things.

I dunno. Come March 18th, I see a lot of people wearing t-shirts proclaiming them to be Irish.

There's a lot of Irish ancestry in Trinidad, I found out.

I'm personally going to be reading an author who was born in Ireland (and lives there still) - because I like that the challenge pushes me to do something I wouldn't normally do. But if someone else interprets the topic differently, they won't hear anything from me.