[2027] Poll 18 Voting > Likes and Comments
THOUGHTS AND IDEAS FROM THE SUGGESTIONS THREADThese are the notes that were originally include in the nominations. Read other posts in the thread for further information people might supply.
A book featuring a rivalry or feud
- A rivalry is a lasting competitive relationship or state of antagonism where two or more people, groups, teams, or businesses continuously try to outperform each other for the same goal, title, or reward.
- A feud is a long-lasting, bitter argument or conflict between two people, families, or groups.
Common Types of Rivalries
• Sports Rivalries: Iconic ongoing matchups between teams or athletes (such as college football's Red River Rivalry or historic pro club clashes).
• Business Rivalries: Companies competing for market share, clients, or industry dominance (such as banks or tech firms vying for corporate business).
• Personal Rivalries: Everyday or social competition, such as sibling rivalry or coworkers competing for promotions
Famous Feuds: https://stacker.com/stories/celebriti...
A book that has a medical aspect to it
Medical memoirs
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Medical microhistories
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Medical thrillers
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Historical medical fiction
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Wearing scrubs on the cover
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Medical fiction
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
Medicine book lists
https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/me...
A book that involves the afterlife
Afterlife
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Heaven and Hell
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5...
Reincarnation
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
Life Beyond Death/Spiritual Continuity
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
Paranormal
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
Examples of the types of books I’d have in mind for me (some already read):
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak
Reincarnation Bluesby Michael Poore
Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by Dave Eagleman
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadaversby Mary Roach
A Short Stay in Hellby Steven L. Peck
A book about something far away in time
This might be
A book set in the past or in the future
A history or historical fiction book
A book published long ago
A book that features a character focused on their past or their future
A time travel or time slip book
A book by an author from South America, Central America, or the Caribbean.South America
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Central America
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8... - this list might include Mexico and US, so verify actual country
Caribbean
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
A book that challenges your idea of reality
It might be about an alternative or warped reality, or make you think about life in a different way.
Alternate reality https://www.goodreads.com/genres/alte...
Reality warping: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Unstable reality:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Makes you rethink reality: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Change the way you view life:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Unreality:
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/unre...
A book relating to bacteria, viruses or fungi.
This could be a straightforward non-fiction science book; a book about biotechnology, disease or vaccines; historical fiction where a character suffers from an infectious disease (e.g. Black Death, cholera, tuberculosis, Covid); a murder mystery where the victim is poisoned by mushrooms; a book where a character is a baker or brewer (yeast is a fungus); or even simply a book with mushrooms on the cover.
A book featuring a hobby you find interesting but never taken up.
Let's say you always wanted to learn to play the piano, go on a long hike, learn to make your own clothes, knitting, gaming, play darts.
Anything really you just never got around to start or had the opportunity to learn, but have been curious about.
A book with a main character who seems unlike you.
This could be someone from another country, a different gender, a different sexual orientation, different personality or any thing else that stands out that you feel would fit. A great opportunity to explore the diversity of the human experience.
A book that is selected randomly
It could be selected:
- the name of a book pulled from a hat
-using a random number generator to match numbered books on GR
- using Good Read's random feature
- selected by a family member/friend
- closing your eyes and grabbing a book off a bookshelf
A book by or about a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).
2027 is the Lunar Year of the Goat and goats are awesome! There aren’t a lot of books about goats, (and most goats have trouble typing with their little cloven hooves,) but there a lot of GOATs out there. Is it totally subjective? Heck yeah!
A book with character who is an activist or champion for a cause.They might be called an organizer, crusader, change agent, reformer, civic leader, rebel leader, campaigner, union organizer, committee member, environmentalist, Suffragette. This could relate to community action, civil rights, a charitable cause, clean air, worker safety, industry change, environmental safety, trees, education, etc.
A resistance leader, or political activist working against an invader or dictator.
A doctor trying to convince people that handwashing saves lives, or that cholera is spread by water, not miasma in the
A group protesting for civil rights, or the right to vote.
Neighbors working together for public safety.
Anyone who works to make the world better in one way.
A book featuring a character who is out of their element
Fish out of water
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Links below are from outside GR, you may have to click that you are over 18 or that you are not a robot!
Unfamiliar territory
https://bookriot.com/books-unfamiliar...
Going abroad
https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/...
Waking up in a strange situation
https://reactormag.com/five-books-abo...
Hard pivots
https://fable.co/blog/best-books-abou...
It is going to be so hard to pick only eight!
Thanks Robin!Do we need just 3 more books?
Does anyone need - or have - suggestion for activists, characters devoted to a cause. If anyone finds good links, can you let me know? Some of the books I read for the revolution prompt fit. I have some serious books, but I enjoy the lighter fiction too.
Activism
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/acti...
Boston Public Library, books for activists:
https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/list...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
NancyJ wrote: "Thanks Robin!Do we need just 3 more books?"
Yes, this may be our last round!
Velvet wrote: "I found this list for #11, A book set on an islandhttps://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2..."
Thanks!! Over a thousand titles.
Velvet wrote: "I found this list for #11, A book set on an islandhttps://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2..."
I think I put all my island suggestions on the listopia for the Ocean Prompt. There is some overlap in the prompts, but the ocean is huge.
An KIS is remembering that Britain is an island, so is Manhattan, NY.
NancyJ wrote: "Thanks Robin!Do we need just 3 more books?
Does anyone need - or have - suggestion for activists, characters devoted to a cause. If anyone finds good links, can you let me know? Some of the books..."
Here is a listopia that may help - I think it might depend on how someone defines a character and devotion. It is a place to start.
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
I really love a book that is selected randomly. I kind of dismissed it at first but the suggestions are great and it’s now my favorite.
Rats, I missed the nominations. I'm most excited about a book picked randomly. It's fun to leave your reading up to chance once in a while.
NancyJ - Here is a suggestion for an activist. I read some children’s books about her earlier this year. Wangarĩ Maathai was a Kenyan social, environmental, and political activist who founded the Green Belt Movement.
A modern activist - Malala Yousafzai has now written 2 booksThere are plenty of activists in history - abolitionists, suffragists, Civil Rights leaders, environmental leaders, librarians, clergy, and more.
I'm going to have a lot of upvotes this round!Re the "randomly chosen:" some bookstores have a "blind date with a book" where you can pick one from the grab bag (sometimes separated by genre). I think some libraries do this too, not sure.
Robin P wrote: "A modern activist - Malala Yousafzai has now written 2 booksThere are plenty of activists in history - abolitionists, suffragists, Civil Rights leaders, environmental leaders, li..."
I would also count as activists those who are working to save endangered species and endangered habitats. Sir David Attenborough is one most people know, and there are books by and about him. Others include Jane Goodall, Biruté Galdikas, and Dian Fossey, whose stories of lives working to save wild great apes are told in the graphic nonfiction book Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas as well as other books. I would include George Schaller, Cynthia Moss, Rachel Carson, Henry David Thoreau, E. O. Wilson, and Frans De Waal in that group, along with many others.
First impressions:1. A book including a rivalry or feud - Love it! Definite upvote
2. A book that has a medical aspect to it - Likely an upvote, but I'd have to see how many options I have on my TBR first
3. A book that involves the afterlife - Love it! Definite upvote
4.. A book about something far away in time. - Meh, I'm fine with it because it could be historical or something futuristic, but I'm not that invested either way
5. A book by an author from South America, Central America, or the Caribbean. - Probably a downvote. I get that this is an author prompt and not a setting, but it's still too geography-focused for me.
6, A book that challenges your idea of reality - I don't quite get what this means
7, A book relating to bacteria, viruses or fungi. - This is interesting, but I'm also not quite sure what books I could use for this
8, A book featuring a hobby you find interesting but never taken up. - Maybe. I tend to like books where the character has an interesting hobby, but I'm not sure it's something I'd want to actively seek out
9. A book with a main character who seems unlike you. - Too vague for me. Most characters that I read are unlike me in some way.
10. A book that is selected randomly - Probably a downvote. I prefer to plan in advance and while I could randomly select something in advance, that doesn't quite feel like it's in the spirit of the prompt
11. A book set on an island - Down. I like this, but we have too many setting posts already for me
12. A second book for your favorite prompt - Probably a downvote. I'd rather have a unique prompt than have to repeat one we already have
13. A book by or about a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). - This could be interesting, but I feel like my brain would get stuck being too literal about what counts as the "greatest"
14.A book with character who is an activist or champion for a cause. - Possible upvote. I think I have some books that would fit this
15.. A book featuring a character who is out of their element - I really like this in theory, but always find it harder to find when I'm actually looking for it somehow. Still, I'd possibly upvote
This set of prompts is interesting but I'll have to do some research because I'm neutral on so many that I'll have to see what options I have.Probable upvote:
- A book that is selected randomly (I really like the idea of using a random number generator to force myself to read something I've owned forever. I could see myself numbering ~20 options that don't obviously fit another prompt and randomly selecting from that.)
Possible downvotes:
- A book that involves the afterlife (I'm doing the same prompt for another challenge this year and it's surprisingly difficult to find a book that fits. Even Styx, a book about a character who lives in the underworld, ended up not working because all the characters are immortals so there's no mention of mortals and afterlife.)
- Set on an island (Haven't enjoyed this one in the past; I think I just don't gravitate toward book set on islands. And opening it up to island nations makes it a bit too broad for me.)
I was leaning no on the GOAT prompt because I'd get hung up on who I'd consider to the greatest anything but the description is goofy and charming and now I want to find some options for it.
Upvotes for me: A book by an author from South America, Central America, or the Caribbean
A book selected randomly- I know I'm usually against read anything but the list feels well rounded to me and I would use a number generator to let it pick what on my TBR I read so it would be fun.
A book related to fungi, viruses, or bacteria
Downvotes
Island
Afterlife
Out of element
Challenges reality
Hobby
GOAT is completely subjective--don't get hung up on the word Greatest. For instance: I would consider Victoria Holt a GOAT of cheesy, modern gothic romance. Are there others who are better writers? For sure. But with all her different pen names (Philippa Carr, Jean Plaidy and others) she was prolific, and her books are enjoyable. Definitely GOAT-worthy status.
A book relating to bacteria, viruses or fungi.Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures
Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest
NancyJ wrote: "A book relating to bacteria, viruses or fungi.Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures
[book:Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisd..."
I've read both of these NancyJ and found them very interesting. I managed to find the illustrated edition of Entangled Life, which I would recommend to anyone considering reading this book. I can't imagine a version without the illustrations/photos. It just wouldn't be as interesting without seeing what the author is talking about.
Irene wrote: "This set of prompts is interesting but I'll have to do some research because I'm neutral on so many that I'll have to see what options I have.Probable upvote:
- A book that is selected randomly (..."
Re: Afterlife - the books I've read and would consider reading if this gets in are not typical "I'm in heaven now, look at all the angels" or haunted house stories. There are some interesting takes out there. One of the books I referenced, Reincarnation Blues is about a guy who keeps getting reincarnated until he gets life "right", but in between lives he hangs out with 'Death' and they become friends. 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World is more about the transition to the afterlife as someone who is dying is remembering their life. A Short Stay in Hell is a short book about Hell being an enormous library where you have to find a particular book before you can leave.
Also, I just checked, and "afterlife" can also mean the latter part of your life, so empty-nesters are experiencing the "after-life when their children have grown and left the house" or retirees are experiencing the "after-life post career".
I don't know if this last bit will change anyone's mind, but if it gets in and you are stuck, this would be another direction to take.
Definite upvotes are far away in time (my own suggestion), selected randomly (love this idea!), and second book for favorite prompt (for me that is always "a suggestion that didn't make the list" which has so many great choices). There are only a couple I really don't like. It's a good list for a last 🤞poll. I'm amazed there are any fresh ideas left, after months of our combined efforts!
My favorites:- A book that challenges your idea of reality. (I love thinking "what if")
- A book selected randomly. (Love the chance for serendipity)
- A second book for your favorite prompt. (I always end up with 2 books I really want to read for the same prompt that I can't shift somewhere else)
There are several others that I really like too, but the books I would read for them I've already been able to slot into another prompt, so I'm not AS invested in them making it this round. I WILL still vote for them though.
For "A book by or about a GOAT", I would vote for this because of my love of the 4-legged goats and because the wording is fun. I happen to have a book about 4 GOATS I've been wanting to read too: Visionary Women: How Rachel Carson, Jane Jacobs, Jane Goodall, and Alice Waters Changed Our World.
Rachel wrote: "First impressions:1. A book including a rivalry or feud - Love it! Definite upvote
2. A book that has a medical aspect to it - Likely an upvote, but I'd have to see how many options I have on my...
12. A second book for your favorite prompt - Probably a downvote. I'd rather have a unique prompt than have to repeat one we already have"
But it's not a repeat if you use A book that fits your favorite prompt that did not make the 2027 list, since we had so many great prompts that didn't make the list this year.
Tracy wrote: "I happen to have a book about 4 GOATS I've been wanting to read too: Visionary Women: How Rachel Carson, Jane Jacobs, Jane Goodall, and Alice Waters Changed Our World..."Adding this to my TBR. Thanks.
Dixie wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I happen to have a book about 4 GOATS I've been wanting to read too: Visionary Women: How Rachel Carson, Jane Jacobs, Jane Goodall, and Alice Waters Changed Our World..."Adding this..."
Happy to share Dixie!
And there are fiction books with fungi- Mexican Gothic and Under StoryAnd any book that has a plague for the virus. I'll vote for this since I love a plague book.
When voting opens - 2 up, 6 down1. A book including a rivalry or feud - neutral, I will use Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln if it gets in.
2. A book that has a medical aspect to it - neutral - I can always find a microhistory about a condition.
3. A book that involves the afterlife - Up, always up
4.. A book about something far away in time. - DOWN - This year's multiweek time based pole has exhausted me.
5. A book by an author from South America, Central America, or the Caribbean. - Down - Geography settings are as far as I will go. Authors add an extra twist in that I also have to find one that I will enjoy reading.
6, A book that challenges your idea of reality - Down - reality is challenging enough. I prefer escapism.
7, A book relating to bacteria, viruses or fungi. - Down - I feel like the first two are infectious and then BAM! Athlete's foot? (I'm sure there are other fungi that cause medical issues. I'm still frustrated over the fungi fascination from last year.)
8, A book featuring a hobby you find interesting but never taken up.- neutral
9. A book with a main character who seems unlike you. - neutral although I would not be disappointed if it was excluded. It would be read a book for me.
10. A book that is selected randomly - neutral - I would most likely just grab a book from the pile on my nightstand.
11. A book set on an island - neutral - tropical romance would be okay with me.
12. A second book for your favorite prompt - UP - sometimes I can't get enough of a prompt. We have seen so many redundant prompts, At least this one is a likeable on.
13. A book by or about a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). - neutral
14.A book with character who is an activist or champion for a cause. - down - I'm surrounded by activists of one type or another
15.. A book featuring a character who is out of their element - isn't that somewhat the case for all main characters? Otherwise there is nothing to drive the plot.
Thank you for putting it in message 1. I get that the idea behind where it was placed last time might encourage more participation in the thread, but if you weren’t already reading the thread it was missed. Too bad.
Tracy wrote: "Thank you for putting it in message 1. I get that the idea behind where it was placed last time might encourage more participation in the thread, but if you weren’t already reading the thread it wa..."I can't remember why we did it that way last time, maybe that Mod wasn't available and nobody else can edit a post another person started. But even after a little while, we could have put in a note that said "voting link is in Msg 23".
Hopefully this the last poll, everyone gets a bit burned out by this time!
Tracy wrote: "Irene wrote: "This set of prompts is interesting but I'll have to do some research because I'm neutral on so many that I'll have to see what options I have.Probable upvote:
- A book that is selec..."
I love the look of all three of these books and just added them to my TBR!
Looking at the first votes, just a tip, y'allDon't be so negative if you want this to be the last poll!
Pamela wrote: "Looking at the first votes, just a tip, y'allDon't be so negative if you want this to be the last poll!"
There were 9 I wanted to down vote so reducing it to 5 was as positive as I could be.
Velvet wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Irene wrote: "This set of prompts is interesting but I'll have to do some research because I'm neutral on so many that I'll have to see what options I have.Probable upvote:
- A book..."
Velvet, I can definitely vouch for Reincarnation Blues and A Short Stay in Hell as I've read them both in the last year or two.
I've been trying to find a way to read 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World (hopefully 'the afterlife' will be the way) as I've read two other books by the author, Elif Shafak, and really enjoyed them.
Pamela wrote: "Looking at the first votes, just a tip, y'allDon't be so negative if you want this to be the last poll!"
I think this is a pretty solid round of options. It's too bad that others don’t agree.
Tracy wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "A book relating to bacteria, viruses or fungi.Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures..."
That sounds good.
I think ANY book involving biology of plants, animals, or the human body would fit well. Actually human bodies contain all three, so any book with people is technically related, at least as a KISS.
Pamela wrote: "Looking at the first votes, just a tip, y'allDon't be so negative if you want this to be the last poll!"
I'm fine with another round, especially since I've see a potential prompt that I like better than most of these. This round just hit alot of suggestions that I actively dislike and only two that I liked well enough to upvote. I could have easily went 8 down...so that's a positive slant.
Pamela wrote: "Looking at the first votes, just a tip, y'allDon't be so negative if you want this to be the last poll!"
I did 5 up and 3 down. I think Emily once said that you need some downvotes to make the algorithm work.
Nothing much that inspired me in this one.
Dubhease wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Looking at the first votes, just a tip, y'allDon't be so negative if you want this to be the last poll!"
I did 5 up and 3 down. I think Emily once said that you need some downvote..."
5 up and 3 down for me, too.
Pamela wrote: "Looking at the first votes, just a tip, y'allDon't be so negative if you want this to be the last poll!"
Do we get more winners if most people give more upvotes than downvotes?
Did we have any suggestions this year on social media?? Or are there any prompts where social media could fit? I remember people talking about in the wild discussion. I have a new interest in the topic. It seems like it’s a topic in all the newer books involving activism and passionate interests. I have a couple social media books that fit activism directly, and others might be indirect.
The book I’m on reading on resisting dictators has a lot on social media. It’s a big factor in the increase of conflict, polarization, and the rise of authoritarian leaders (and bullies) all over the world. Not to mention the increased levels of anxiety, especially in kids.
I also want to read one of the fun books about influences. I know a woman who turned her blog for mothers into a small business.
So if there is another ballot, can someone suggest social media.
I like that there are so many substantive prompts. We need a certain number of easy title or cover prompts, but I like author prompts to tell you something about the author, not just their name or initials. Things like rivalry, afterlife or activist are substantive while still giving lots of options.
NancyJ wrote: "So if there is another ballot, can someone suggest social media..."I'm happy to read about social media in the contexts you've described, in books about other topics where it is relevant, but I don't want to read a book focused on social media. I'm one of the people who are getting "increased levels of anxiety" when I think too much about the effect it is having at so many levels of our society. I'm aware of it, I'm reasonably informed about it, but I don't want to read books about it.
Laura Ruth wrote: "I like that there are so many substantive prompts. We need a certain number of easy title or cover prompts, but I like author prompts to tell you something about the author, not just their name or ..."Good point. Agreed.
The thread will be open before the poll gets posted. This is a good opportunity to ask any question you may have regarding the prompts, do some research, or ask for recommendations. People might also provide further information on suggested prompts, so read on.
Voting will open in the afternoon of October 12 and stay open until the afternoon of October 15. Results will be posted on Friday, October 16
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.
Poll Prompts
1. A book including a rivalry or feud
2. A book that has a medical aspect to it
3. A book that involves the afterlife
4.. A book about something far away in time.
5. A book by an author from South America, Central America, or the Caribbean.
6, A book that challenges your idea of reality
7, A book relating to bacteria, viruses or fungi.
8, A book featuring a hobby you find interesting but have never taken up.
9. A book with a main character who seems unlike you.
10. A book that is selected randomly
11. A book set on an island
12. A second book for your favorite prompt
13. A book by or about a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).
14.A book with character who is an activist or champion for a cause.
15.. A book featuring a character who is out of their element
Voting link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...