Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Only one prompt making it through this round!

Top:
A book connected to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

Bottom:
A book with a character who is passing
A book you read in a -ber month

Close Call:
A book about a family or family relationships
A book that is either frothy or gothy

The next round of suggestions will open around 1 pm CST on Monday, September 29.

Well. I didn't expect this!

I'm delighted to get Bohemian Rhapsody, but appalled that with all those great options, and so many people commenting that they upvoted 8 for the first time or that they needed more votes, we only got one prompt in. What a shame!

I’m very happy about the song of course, and I will enjoy seeing the title on the list all year. It will remind me of the glorious bittersweet summer of 1976. (Others may get memories flashes from 1992, and 2018, when it reappeared as a Billboard hit.)

I’m so disappointed that the ATY BOM didn’t make it. I always find great books on the list. A lot of members (plus Jackie!) stepped up to update their 2025 favorites in the last few days. The list is even stronger.

I like the close calls. Once again, I’m kicking myself for changing my vote at the last minute away from a prompt that I really liked. Family relationships. Emily, would one extra vote have made the difference for a close call, or was there a bigger gap?

I expected -ber months at the bottom, but not Passing. I thought it was clever. I guess it’s hard to get past your first impression of a word.

I think it's a shame too, but I can't really complain; this was a voting exercise where I didn't upvote at all because some ideas were ok, but not inspiring enough that I preferred one over others , and I downvoted 4 or 5 that I really didn't want. So I was quite surprised to read all the 'great options' posts.

This year I've found the wild discussion quite difficult because there seems to be a lot of discussion, listopias etc. devoted to one or two suggestions each round, and it then seems a bit mean spirited to join in and say actually those are of no interest to me, and presumably to a lot of other voters too.

I've always enjoyed the Wild Discussion in the past, but this year it seems really intense.

Dixie- there were a lot of down votes too

I hope ww see frothy-gothy again.

NancyJ, I looked at the numbers and it would have taken at least 4 more upvotes (or 4 less downvotes) for the close calls to get in.

Wow. I too am stunned. It was our strongest list of prompts.

The ATY Books of Month - I have seen people comment before that if they think a prompt will get in, they don't waste a vote on it. This strategy doesn't work as well as people think it does.

I loved Frothy and Gothy too.

Leah may be right about all the silent members who never contribute a prompt and just downvote everything. Or people who don't read the more information posts. Clearly there is some disconnect going on.

Does anyone know what number of prompts we have? The list progress is still showing 39.

It could be that people did like a lot of the prompts, so the votes got split

Dubhease wrote: "Wow. I too am stunned. It was our strongest list of prompts.

Leah may be right about all the silent members who never contribute a prompt and just downvote everything. Or people who don't read the more information posts. Clearly there is some disconnect going on.

I wasn't implying that silent members always downvote, just that this was the first time ever that I have downvoted some and not upvoted - it was certainly not a strong list to me.

I am someone who does follow and contribute to Wild Discussion, but as I said above, I have found it really intense this year, with huge listopias being produced for suggestions, lots and lots of posts around one or two suggestions. If I was a newbie or someone who just glanced at Wild Discussion before voting, I would find it very off-putting - in fact I do find it very off-putting and making me less likely to vote up than otherwise. It also seems harder to submit a suggestion, which I've done successfully in the past, without the need to spend several messages discussing and selling it.

I'm surprised only one got in!

I'm counting 45 prompts at this time.

Katherine wrote: "I'm counting 45 prompts at this time."
me too.

LeahS wrote: "Dubhease wrote: "Wow. I too am stunned. It was our strongest list of prompts.

Leah may be right about all the silent members who never contribute a prompt and just downvote everything. Or people w..."

What you say about the huge reference lists for prompt suggestions is worth consideration. It can feel overwhelming to see an enormous list of links. I can see it creating a feeling similar to the one that Pamela (I think) mentioned about having too many options for a prompt. Being overwhelmed is not a good feeling.

I can't agree though that it's harder to submit prompts. I never discussed my "action takes place in a public building" prompt in the Wild Discussion, I just suggested it - twice, after it was a close call the first time - and it got in. I did include a list of public buildings, with links, since I felt that was important for clarity, but nothing very long. Also, I suggested "about a family or family relationships" this time around, barely mentioning it in the Wild Discussion, and it ended up a close call. Other very simple suggestions such as "a mystery or true crime book" got in on their first try, without any discussion. I believe one of the mods said she just threw in "A book you've wanted to read for a long time" because there was a lull in the suggestions, and it got in! Just show up and suggest -- I don't think it's necessary to discuss or sell them in advance. If people like them, they'll vote for them.

I'm also counting 45 prompts.

It is my general observation that too much discussion over a prompt normally means it won't get voted in. (There seems to be a sweet spot for the right amount of discussion). Possible because if it is one you don't want you are more likely to use a down vote and there maybe some amount of not using an up vote because you think it already has enough votes.

Also, second observation when the list over all has a lot of likely options the votes get split and we don't get as many tops. (There are prompts that just are more likely to get voted in. I'm not exactly sure of the right words but if they were in a different poll they would be the clear top but in a week with several of them none of them seem to make it).

I think, this year there seems to be a bit of a focus on trying to be creative with wording that doesn't always pan out. I personally down voted "passing character" because I find the idea confusing. I was also a down vote on "frothy" & "gothy", I'm not a fan of gothic and frothy just didn't make sense to me (it is not a way I'd describe a book). Even if there is are lists and ideas, they prompt still has to make sense to me.

(Probably going to return to being fairly silent this year).

Ditto to what Jillian and LeahS said. I feel like if people are too enthusiastic with pushing a prompt (i.e. too many lists and ideas and explanations), I'm less likely to vote for it and may downvote it, even though I can find something for it.

Dubhease wrote: "Does anyone know what number of prompts we have? The list progress is still showing 39."

45- I've been keeping the listopia list up to date

Pam wrote: "Ditto to what Jillian and LeahS said. I feel like if people are too enthusiastic with pushing a prompt (i.e. too many lists and ideas and explanations), I'm less likely to vote for it and may downv..."

Also if people seem to love it, I don't vote for it cause it doesn't need me.

Pamela wrote: "Pam wrote: "Ditto to what Jillian and LeahS said. I feel like if people are too enthusiastic with pushing a prompt (i.e. too many lists and ideas and explanations), I'm less likely to vote for it a..."

Maybe too many people felt that way about the ATY books of the month this year.

Jillian wrote: "I'm also counting 45 prompts.

It is my general observation that too much discussion over a prompt normally means it won't get voted in. (There seems to be a sweet spot for the right amount of disc..."

So much discussion and hard persuasion usually shows a certain amount of controversy surrounding the suggestion. I follow the Wild Discussion and post occasionally, but if something conflicts with my interests or values, no amount of discussion or lists will change my mind. I like neutral, creative prompts and can fit “educational” or non-fiction prompts in without creating suggestions around topics that might be divisive.

I have revised this post several times trying to hit a neutral tone. I think there are strong personalities here that can intimidate potential posters. Word choice matters more online than in real life. Enthusiasm is one thing, superiority is another.

All in all, ATY is for fun. Wildcards, KIS/BIO options, “if you say it counts, it counts” all exist for that purpose.

That said…I’m delighted with Bohemian Rhapsody. I hope that frothy and gothy makes another round! If not, it will be my prompt that didn’t make it.

Passing is such an interesting topic. I really want to read a book about that, even if it doesn't make the list.

It often refers to race, but it would be interesting to see it in terms of transgender. What a very different experience it must be, as a transgender person, if you could or could not pass.

I missed this round of voting. I saw the voting post had opened but never made it to vote. Bohemian and passing prompts spoke to me the most

I'm VERY happy that Bohemian Rhapsody is on our list for next year. I tried not to assume that it would be, because there are other prompts in earlier polls that I thought were a shoo-in, but didn't make it.

Re: my prompt - Passing....
I was so excited about the many ways this could be used, that I failed to remember that sometimes first impressions can't be broken, and since the most common use is about dying (not death, but the process of dying), that this might be an unwelcome topic for many. It still might not have gotten further, but I wonder if I'd been more careful with the wording, if it at least would not have been bottomed. Maybe something like "A book involving one of the many meanings of passing".

I suggested it the way I did because I was focused on trying to get us another Character prompt. I've found in the past that designing a prompt this way usually doesn't work, and I forgot my own experience with that.

I was happy to see that at least some people found it interesting 🥰

J wrote: "Passing is such an interesting topic. I really want to read a book about that, even if it doesn't make the list.

It often refers to race, but it would be interesting to see it in terms of transgen..."

I'm glad this introduced you to a new idea to consider J! There are a lot of good books about this topic. Many years ago I read a book that was written by someone who was NOT transgender, but by a women who dressed as a man to see if she was treated any differently if though to be a man. Different topic (less personal stakes), but in a similar vein, as she had to be very careful in some circumstances to be definitely considered a man, because she would be in danger if found out.

More recently there are many more choices to pick from for own-voices books about the transgender experience.

I do also want to note that upvoting 8 prompts makes it harder for any prompt to get in. It's generally more effective to downvote some so that the formulas work the way they are supposed to. A prompt has to have above the average + standard deviation of upvotes in order to qualify, so if there's a large number of upvotes, the average is higher, and it's harder to qualify as a prompt that will make it to the top.

I updated the intro thread for all of the current prompts - we are at 45.

Emily wrote: "I do also want to note that upvoting 8 prompts makes it harder for any prompt to get in. It's generally more effective to downvote some so that the formulas work the way they are supposed to. A pro..."

Thanks for mentioning this. As tempting as it is to do all upvotes, I never do so for this exact reason.

Emily wrote: "I do also want to note that upvoting 8 prompts makes it harder for any prompt to get in. It's generally more effective to downvote some so that the formulas work the way they are supposed to. A pro..."

Thanks for letting us know. That could be why we only got one each the last two polls.

Nothing I upvoted was mentioned, so I was not in any sort of majority or minority. Wait, unless I voted for the family one--I might have. There are some there I downvoted, but that's how the cookie crumbles :) We never all get things our way.

I'm glad Bohemian Rhapsody got in! I actually realized after the fact that I'd meant to vote for it but forgot it amongst all the others I wanted.

This was a very strong group of prompts overall so I'm not shocked that only a few got in. It seems that the more prompts get upvoted, the more the votes are split

LeahS wrote: "Dubhease wrote: "Wow. I too am stunned. It was our strongest list of prompts.

Leah may be right about all the silent members who never contribute a prompt and just downvote everything. Or people w..."

Leah, I’ll sorry. A few of us can get very wordy, and we like to “workshop” ideas. (And I know I can ramble like the old lady I am.) Please skip right over the long “workshopping” posts, and read the others. I think it will feel completely different. Give it another chance. And please don’t hesitate to submit your ideas.

Compared to last year, this year’s wild discussion is actually very light in volume. I think there were more than 100 pages of comments last year. (It often found it negative and unpleasant and left.)

Most of the prompts submitted recently were not discussed in the wild discussion at all. Or if they were, it was much earlier. (I noticed because I often check to see what was planned for the next suggestion round. I didn’t want to waste time on a similar concept, or have too many of one kind of prompt. )

The biggest mistake I make in voting is giving too many upvotes some weeks.

The biggest mistake a few others seem to make is in not voting for prompts they really like, because they think other people will give it enough votes. If 5 people in a row rave about a prompt, it seems like it’s a shoe-in, but it means nothing. It’s tiny compared to the # of voters, and they might change their minds.

I’m going to guess that several of the people in this group had a lot of training in brainstorming and creative problem solving in our careers. When that training clicks on, I can find hundreds of possibilities in anything, especially at the beginning. I find it very very fun. But then we get tough and start to eliminate the weaker ideas.

Rachel wrote: "I'm glad Bohemian Rhapsody got in! I actually realized after the fact that I'd meant to vote for it but forgot it amongst all the others I wanted.

This was a very strong group of prompts overall ..."

Yes, I hope everybody took to heart Emily's post about the power of the downvote!

I've not been very chatty this year but following along and voting. I haven't gone into the wild discussion, whereas normally I would be following that one. I'm currently going through chemo so not really up to commeting so much.

I didn't find this round as inspiring as others. That said I managed 5 upvotes and 3 downvotes. I upvoted Bohemian Rhapsody - seemed like there were plenty of options. I also downvoted the 2 bottoms. The -ber month one didn't seem like it was what the challenge was about as it wasn't a prompt to pick a book to read, it was just telling us to read in a certain month - which I assume we will all do anyway (maybe not for the challenge for those early finishers) - I really didn't understand it.

Tracy wrote: "I'm VERY happy that Bohemian Rhapsody is on our list for next year. I tried not to assume that it would be, because there are other prompts in earlier polls that I thought were a shoo-in, but didn'..."

Lol. It never even occurred to me that passing could mean dying. When I saw it, I immediately thought of the book Passing which has been on my TBR for years, and then I thought about passing as in grades, and I got even more excited about the prompt. Oh well, that's why I do a reject challenge.

Bec wrote: "I'm currently going through chemo so not really up to commenting so much."

I'm sending you positive vibes.

Bec - so sorry to hear you need to be going through chemo. I hope you aren’t having too hard a time with it. Be good to yourself, and I hope the books you read give you a good distraction. Take care

Bec, thank you for sharing what you are going through. We want this group to be fun and flexible.

Nancy has a good point about the diverse backgrounds and styles of our members. A prompt can strike one person entirely differently from another. I’m not detail oriented (which shows when I try to run the suggestions and miss things!) I never look at the listopias before voting, though I usually do read the Wild Discussion otherwise. I am. also someone who makes quick decisions about whether I like something or not, but often I don’t even remember what I voted for.

I was the one that threw in “ book you wanted to read for a long time”. I had never mentioned it in the discussion threads, I gave a very short explanation and was amazed it got in.

Learning some things late in the day! I upvoted 7 this time, in future I'll only upvote those I really want.
I seldom read all the listopia/links offered in the suggestions, if a suggestion becomes a prompt I check my TBR first then if I can't find something I'll check the suggestion offerings. So not bugged about long discussions :), often something interesting to learn in reading them.
VERY happy about Bohemian Rhapsody, disappointed Frothy/Gothy didn't get in.

Bec - hope your treatment goes well.

This discussion is so interesting! I've never not upvoted a prompt I loved just because I thought lots of other people would vote for it too. I'd always want to give it the best chance of winning!

@Leah, please don't be discouraged! I've suggested 2 prompts that have gotten in this year with zero posting beforehand or discussion in the Wild Discussion so it's definitely not impossible. I've only looked at the Wild Discussion once this year so it's definitely not a requirement to suggest something.

It's interesting to think about what makes people want to upvote or downvote certain prompts, but I really think it just comes down to how much each individual wants a prompt, not how much it was discussed. I would've voted for the Bohemian Rhapsody prompt no matter how much it was discussed or repeatedly suggested just because I like it so much. I think I'm only swayed by discussion if it's something I'm on the fence about it to begin with.

Bec - I just messaged you. I have chemo this week too! Definitely not fun to be the youngest person in the infusion center.

Irene, you too?! I hope your therapy is going well also.

Thanks for the encouragement, Dixie and Irene. Nancy, no need to apologise for your way of thinking - and I do remember a lot of negativity about the successful prompts last year (I whinged too) and they all produced interesting books for me. Bec and Irene, good wishes and hopes for your treatments,

LeahS wrote: "Bec and Irene, good wishes and hopes for your treatments"

Seconded. Hope they go well.

Trish wrote: "LeahS wrote: "Bec and Irene, good wishes and hopes for your treatments"

Seconded. Hope they go well."

Thirded.

Trish wrote: "LeahS wrote: "Bec and Irene, good wishes and hopes for your treatments"

Seconded. Hope they go well."

My good wishes too.

Shannon SA wrote: "Trish wrote: "LeahS wrote: "Bec and Irene, good wishes and hopes for your treatments"

Seconded. Hope they go well."

My good wishes too."

And mine too, for both of you. ❤️

Bec wrote: "I've not been very chatty this year but following along and voting. I haven't gone into the wild discussion, whereas normally I would be following that one. I'm currently going through chemo so not..."

Sending you my warmest thoughts. I wish for you to get through it as well as possible and that you get a lot of love and warmth from people around you. 💜🌺💜

Irene wrote: "This discussion is so interesting! I've never not upvoted a prompt I loved just because I thought lots of other people would vote for it too. I'd always want to give it the best chance of winning! ..."

Oh, I'm sending you my warmest thoughts as well! I do hope that you'll go through this with as little problems as possible and that you are surrounded with love and warmth ❤️

So Disappointed.. Only one prompt and one I would have voted down had there not been so many GREAT prompts. I used all votes as upvotes. Emily. thanks for the reminder that downvotes factor into the equation. I am DONE upvoting 8, no matter how many awesome prompts there are.

Bec and Irene - I’m really sorry to hear you are both in chemo treatment. I will send you both healing thoughts! ❤️❤️❤️

I didn’t vote for passing because I associate it with death and don’t want to focus on death as a reading topic. We recently lost a good friend and have lost a lot of family members the last few years. Besides the book Passing, I’ve read an excellent book with a character who was passing as something he was not but, knowing this fact, is a big spoiler! It’s possible it’s the same in other books with that type of passing storyline. That’s the reason I don’t like to know if the book has an unreliable narrator.

I didn’t vote for the winner but, the more I think about it (as I’m typing), I have a lot of good options and it should be a fun one to fill!

Edie wrote: "So Disappointed.. Only one prompt and one I would have voted down had there not been so many GREAT prompts that I used all votes as upvotes."

And now we've learned from Emily that downvoting what we don't want is more likely to get us what we want than upvoting! (Her post is above, in this thread.) Really useful information; too late to help much this year, but something I will definitely keep in mind next year.