1NinieB
It's time to brainstorm next year's CATs! I'll keep a list here of ideas and the number of the post where the idea is first proposed, in case you want more information.
Please make your suggestions by the end of the day on Saturday, October 31. I'll set up the voting thread the next day, November 1.
Looking forward to seeing everyone's great ideas!
NewsCAT
ClassiCAT
RandomCAT
CATwoman
DiverseCAT
CrimeCAT
ColourCAT
CalendarCAT
HistoryCAT
SeriesCAT
YACAT (or YoungCAT)
BioCAT
GenreCAT
AnimalCAT
TravelCAT
AdventureCAT
Please make your suggestions by the end of the day on Saturday, October 31. I'll set up the voting thread the next day, November 1.
Looking forward to seeing everyone's great ideas!
NewsCAT
ClassiCAT
RandomCAT
CATwoman
DiverseCAT
CrimeCAT
ColourCAT
CalendarCAT
HistoryCAT
SeriesCAT
YACAT (or YoungCAT)
BioCAT
GenreCAT
AnimalCAT
TravelCAT
AdventureCAT
2Jackie_K
I'd like to suggest a NewsCAT, and base it around the different sections of a newspaper. So we could have months for things like politics, home, foreign affairs, cartoons, sport, celebrities, TV, finance, human interest, food, etc. It wouldn't have to be serious non-fiction, I'm sure there's plenty of fiction that would fit too!
3Helenliz
I'd like to suggest some form of Classic CAT. Several options, select a timeframe and read a different time period each month, or a couple of complimentary or contrasting authors and read one of their works. Or maybe with a different genre and you read one of the classic or formative works in that genre.
4hailelib
>3 Helenliz: I like that idea.
5LadyoftheLodge
Please add RandomCAT. This category really challenges me to read outside my usual selections.
6DeltaQueen50
Last year there was some discussion on always having the RandomCat. I don't remember whether we decided to do that or if it is still to be added to the voting list.
In 2017 we had a CatWoman category that celebrated women authors and I would like to reprise it for 2021. We had a number of interesting monthly themes such as Women of Color, Classics, Modern, and Genre. I would also like to include "favorite women authors" and "series by a women author". We could choose other themes as well.
In 2017 we had a CatWoman category that celebrated women authors and I would like to reprise it for 2021. We had a number of interesting monthly themes such as Women of Color, Classics, Modern, and Genre. I would also like to include "favorite women authors" and "series by a women author". We could choose other themes as well.
7beebeereads
How about a category for reading diversely? We could choose either the author or the subject in a wide array of diverse voices. I'm not suggesting just reading about the diverse group as a whole, but reading in their community of thought. For instance, a trans author who has written a fictional book not necessarily about their experience. Or a person who is differently-bled is the protagonist in the mystery. I enjoy listening to wide variety of voices and experiences.
>5 LadyoftheLodge: Love randomCAT each year!
>6 DeltaQueen50: All in celebrating women authors however it sorts out
>2 Jackie_K: We've talked about Newscat before...I'm on board!
>5 LadyoftheLodge: Love randomCAT each year!
>6 DeltaQueen50: All in celebrating women authors however it sorts out
>2 Jackie_K: We've talked about Newscat before...I'm on board!
8LadyoftheLodge
>7 beebeereads: I like that reading diversely idea. It sounds like there is a lot of leeway for creative choices. I do not recall that we did that one in the past.
9VivienneR
>2 Jackie_K: I second (or third or whatever) NewsCAT!
>5 LadyoftheLodge: RandomCAT is my favourite. I hope it never goes away.
>5 LadyoftheLodge: RandomCAT is my favourite. I hope it never goes away.
10Tess_W
I like all suggestions thus far.
I would like to suggest a crime cat--where we read either fiction or non-fiction about a different type of crime each month: murder, espionage, kidnapping, art theft, etc.
I would like to suggest a crime cat--where we read either fiction or non-fiction about a different type of crime each month: murder, espionage, kidnapping, art theft, etc.
11VivienneR
>10 Tess_W: That's a nice alternative to MysteryCAT. I like it.
12Jackie_K
>7 beebeereads: I like the reading diversely idea.
13LadyoftheLodge
>10 Tess_W: That is a nice alternative to MysteryCAT.
Some past CATS included ColourCAT and CalendarCAT, both of which were quite popular as I recall. I liked both of those, so I suggest we add them to the voting list.
Some past CATS included ColourCAT and CalendarCAT, both of which were quite popular as I recall. I liked both of those, so I suggest we add them to the voting list.
14LibraryCin
>2 Jackie_K: Ditto on the NewsCAT!
15LibraryCin
>7 beebeereads: I also like the idea of a DiverseCAT
16LibraryCin
I will renominate a few I like.
HistoryCAT (we can choose time frames or historical topics/themes)
SeriesCAT
YACAT (or YoungCAT) - young adult/children's
BioCAT (Biographies, memoirs)
HistoryCAT (we can choose time frames or historical topics/themes)
SeriesCAT
YACAT (or YoungCAT) - young adult/children's
BioCAT (Biographies, memoirs)
17Robertgreaves
>16 LibraryCin: I like the idea of re-running HistoryCAT.
How about a GenreCAT for people who don't want to devote a whole year to Mysteries or SFF but would be willing to spend a month in each genre for a taster? We could also have months for poetry, drama, Westerns, military, classics, literary fiction, etc.
How about a GenreCAT for people who don't want to devote a whole year to Mysteries or SFF but would be willing to spend a month in each genre for a taster? We could also have months for poetry, drama, Westerns, military, classics, literary fiction, etc.
19LadyoftheLodge
>17 Robertgreaves: I like the GenreCAT idea too. That would allow for more variety.
20LibraryCin
>17 Robertgreaves: Oh, yes! I remember the GenreCAT being suggested before, too. I'd go for that one, too.
21lowelibrary
How about an animalCAT. We would read fiction or nonfiction about animals, or with animals as the main character. We could exclude cats and call it AnythingbutaCAT.
22Robertgreaves
>21 lowelibrary: Or make it kittens only and call it the KittyCAT (sorry, I couldn't resist)
23beebeereads
>17 Robertgreaves: Yes, I love the idea of GenreCAT Always up for variety!
24Jackie_K
>21 lowelibrary: AnythingbutaCAT is inspired! :D
26LadyoftheLodge
>22 Robertgreaves: Mind reader! I was thinking of KittyCAT as a category, but could not quite come up with how to make it work. I like the ideas here so far.
27LadyoftheLodge
I would like to add TravelCAT to our list. We did not get enough votes for it to be a full fledged CAT in 2020.
28sallylou61
I especially like the ideas to repeat the CATWoman (>6 DeltaQueen50:) with some new categories and to have a GenreCAT (suggested in >17 Robertgreaves:).
29pamelad
I'm in favour of >6 DeltaQueen50: CATWoman and >16 LibraryCin: HistoryCAT.
30NinieB
Everyone, please let me know if any of the links in the first message don't work.
On the AnimalCAT/AnythingbutaCAT/KittyCAT discussion, I just listed one AnimalCAT. Is that going to be OK for the voting, with the details worked out if it is one of the lucky winners? Or should there be separate entry(s) for Anythingbuta or Kitty?
On the AnimalCAT/AnythingbutaCAT/KittyCAT discussion, I just listed one AnimalCAT. Is that going to be OK for the voting, with the details worked out if it is one of the lucky winners? Or should there be separate entry(s) for Anythingbuta or Kitty?
31LadyoftheLodge
>30 NinieB: I do not think you need separate entries, but the titles are really cute. I like AnythingbutaCAT.
33NinieB
>31 LadyoftheLodge: I agree, the AnythingbutaCAT and KittyCAT are really cute. AnimalCAT is more inclusive, which is why I chose it. Since the cat mystery is practically an established subgenre I'd hate to exclude cats. :)
What would you all think of giving the entry a double-barreled name: AnythingbutaCAT/KittyCAT?
What would you all think of giving the entry a double-barreled name: AnythingbutaCAT/KittyCAT?
34MissWatson
I really like the NewsCAT and the variations on the MysteryCAT. But my top favourite will always be RandomCAT. It offers spontaneity.
35sturlington
There has been interest in continuing the ScaredyKIT, so I have set up a thread to start planning that, and anyone is welcome to join us: https://www.librarything.com/topic/325456
36This-n-That
>1 NinieB: Thank you for organizing this. I usually do not participate regularly in a specific CAT but might be lured in by >17 Robertgreaves: suggestion for a GenreCAT.
38rabbitprincess
>35 sturlington: I've added the planning thread to the main group page :)
39JayneCM
>38 rabbitprincess: So that makes ScaredyKIT a definite then? I really enjoyed it in 2020. Strangely, as I don't like horror. But the discovery of Shirley Jackson alone made this KIT totally worthwhile.
40sturlington
>39 JayneCM: Yes, we're definitely having ScaredyKIT next year. Already getting some themes filled in. Drop by the planning thread and claim a month to host!
41rabbitprincess
>39 JayneCM: Seems pretty definite to me :) I would also consider AlphaKIT definite because majkia has already stated she will set up the thread, with cyderry picking the letters. These KITs have run for a few years now, I think.
The other KITs, from what I recall, were set up after the CAT voting had finished.
The other KITs, from what I recall, were set up after the CAT voting had finished.
42LadyoftheLodge
>41 rabbitprincess: I think that is correct--the other KITS were sometimes CATS that did not make the cut, but enough interested LTers to make them worthwhile.
43fuzzi
What about an AdventureCAT?
There are many adventure/thriller options to choose from, including books by Alistair MacLean, Hammond Innes, Tom Clancy, Louis L'Amour, Jack Higgins, and Fredrick Forsyth, just to name a few.
There are many adventure/thriller options to choose from, including books by Alistair MacLean, Hammond Innes, Tom Clancy, Louis L'Amour, Jack Higgins, and Fredrick Forsyth, just to name a few.
44VivienneR
>43 fuzzi: I haven't heard that one suggested before. Sounds like fun.
45JayneCM
>40 sturlington: >41 rabbitprincess: Thank you! Looking forward to seeing what else we will be reading in 2021!
46LadyoftheLodge
>43 fuzzi: Could we find enough adventure ideas for a full year of reading? I am trying to think of how to expand on that idea.
47majkia
>41 rabbitprincess: yes, AlphaKIT will return.
I can think of a bunch of ideas for adventure. Sea adventures, spies, military, alt history, historical, contemporary, futuristic..
I can think of a bunch of ideas for adventure. Sea adventures, spies, military, alt history, historical, contemporary, futuristic..
48rabbitprincess
>47 majkia: Woo hoo!
49fuzzi
>47 majkia: yes! And we could discover some new authors, too.
50JayneCM
>43 fuzzi: As soon as I read AdventureCAT, my mind went straight to Famous Five and Secret Seven!
I am sure lots of travel books could be related to adventures as well.
I am sure lots of travel books could be related to adventures as well.
51SaraRawson
Deze gebruiker is verwijderd als spam.
53cyderry
Many classics would qualify - Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe, Huckleberry Finn
Here's a list of others
https://www.greenbelly.co/pages/best-adventure-books-of-all-time
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/50-adventure-novels-read-die/
Here's a list of others
https://www.greenbelly.co/pages/best-adventure-books-of-all-time
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/50-adventure-novels-read-die/
54sturlington
Some ideas for adventure themes that spring to mind -- and bearing in mind that you could probably choose to read fiction or nonfiction (true adventure) for many of these, which gives more options:
- Spies
- Disasters
- Great Escapes
- Heists / Treasure Hunts
- Historical / Westerns
- Outdoors / Survival
- War / Military
- Exploration (Land, Sea, or Space)
- Swashbucklers / Pirates
- Children's / YA
- Epic Journeys
- Action / Thrillers
- Spies
- Disasters
- Great Escapes
- Heists / Treasure Hunts
- Historical / Westerns
- Outdoors / Survival
- War / Military
- Exploration (Land, Sea, or Space)
- Swashbucklers / Pirates
- Children's / YA
- Epic Journeys
- Action / Thrillers
55DeltaQueen50
I like the sound of an AdventureCat! I used "Adventure" as a category one year and had plenty of choices, the list above gives some great ideas.
56LadyoftheLodge
Thanks everyone for the AdventureCAT suggestions. I was having difficulty envisioning the categories when I asked the original question. This is sounding more do-able to me now.
57fuzzi
>56 LadyoftheLodge: yippee!
58LibraryCin
For KITastrophe this year, we had participation drop off as the year went on. In a short discussion, we thought we'd try a quarterly format for 2021.
If anyone is interested and wants to help decide what themes to use in a quarterly format, I started a thread here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/325729
If anyone is interested and wants to help decide what themes to use in a quarterly format, I started a thread here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/325729
59NinieB
We have many great ideas for 2021! Our election will begin on Sunday, November 1, so now's your opportunity for discussion and additional ideas.
60pamelad
Here's a link to The Guardian's Top Ten Adventure Books. Some of these widen the scope to include spiritual, intellectual and musical adventures.
61NinieB
Voting is now open: https://www.librarything.com/topic/325918.
Please take a moment to cast a vote for the 2021 official CATS!
Voting will close on Sunday, November 8 at 8am Eastern Standard Time.
Please take a moment to cast a vote for the 2021 official CATS!
Voting will close on Sunday, November 8 at 8am Eastern Standard Time.
62Helenliz
>61 NinieB: just to clarify what does a vote for against or undecided mean in the tally?
Useful to get these straight to start, so that people can cast their votes accordingly.
Useful to get these straight to start, so that people can cast their votes accordingly.
63NinieB
>62 Helenliz: This is the out-of-the-box LT mini-polling widget. I interpret For as meaning you want the suggestion to be a CAT, Against as meaning you don't want the suggestion to be a CAT, and Undecided as a sort of abstention. Perhaps those who have been around for a bit longer (this is my 3rd year) have other ideas?
64Tanya-dogearedcopy
Is anyone else having trouble casting votes?
I've clicked on "Yes" for a couple of categories and nothing happens.
Usually, it shows em how I voted and, the counts.
I'll come back later and try again...
I've clicked on "Yes" for a couple of categories and nothing happens.
Usually, it shows em how I voted and, the counts.
I'll come back later and try again...
68NinieB
Voting has been moved offsite to easypolls.net: https://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=5f9edd67e4b0899ae5a15d8c
70Jackie_K
>64 Tanya-dogearedcopy: That happened to me too, so it looks like it is a site-wide bug. I've voted in the offsite poll, thanks for setting that up.
71rabbitprincess
>68 NinieB: Voted! Thanks for working around the bug :)
72NinieB
>69 majkia: >70 Jackie_K: >71 rabbitprincess: You're welcome! It was actually easier to set up than the nonfunctional LT voting, and I was impressed how many options the free site gave me.
73Helenliz
>68 NinieB: Nice job, voted. >:-)
74SilverWolf28
>68 NinieB: Thanks for doing this! I voted.
75Robertgreaves
>68 NinieB:, thank you, Ninie. I have voted.
77MissWatson
>68 NinieB: Thanks, I have cast my vote.
78LadyoftheLodge
Thanks so much! I liked the voting format, and I cast my vote too.
79NinieB
>73 Helenliz: >74 SilverWolf28: >75 Robertgreaves: >76 pamelad: >77 MissWatson: >78 LadyoftheLodge: You are all very welcome! Cheryl, I liked this format as well!
80lowelibrary
I have voted.
82fuzzi
>68 NinieB: thanks! I have voted.
83JayneCM
>68 NinieB: I have voted! Thank you for organising all this. Can't wait to see the results!
84NinieB
Thanks for voting, everyone! I'm happy to have helped by setting the poll up. So far we have 45 voters.
86dudes22
Only 59 people have joined the group so far, so that's actually a good representation of voters. There were 150 people in the group this year so I wonder if some of them still don't know we've started.
87sallylou61
>86 dudes22:. I think that it always takes a considerable of time for a lot of people to join. Often they do not join until after the voting. I think some people wait until the next calendar year to join.
88pamelad
>86 dudes22: I've put a link in the What are we reading in November, and November Non-fiction CAT threads, just in case people have missed it.
90NinieB
Thanks everyone for spreading the word!
If you're just getting to this, or just joined the group, a friendly reminder that voting is open! We are voting offsite at https://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=5f9edd67e4b0899ae5a15d8c
Voting will close on Sunday, November 8 at 8am Eastern Standard Time.
The list of suggestions for voting is randomized.
If you're just getting to this, or just joined the group, a friendly reminder that voting is open! We are voting offsite at https://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=5f9edd67e4b0899ae5a15d8c
Voting will close on Sunday, November 8 at 8am Eastern Standard Time.
The list of suggestions for voting is randomized.
91LadyoftheLodge
I posted the voting link in MysteryKIT and TravelKIT.
92NinieB
The results are in!
Our top 3:
1. RandomCAT (33 votes)
2. GenreCAT (22 votes)
3. HistoryCAT (18 votes)
Close runners-up:
SeriesCAT (14 votes)
CATwoman (16 votes)
ClassiCAT (16 votes)
ColourCAT (14 votes)
AdventureCAT (15 votes)
Our top 3:
1. RandomCAT (33 votes)
2. GenreCAT (22 votes)
3. HistoryCAT (18 votes)
Close runners-up:
SeriesCAT (14 votes)
CATwoman (16 votes)
ClassiCAT (16 votes)
ColourCAT (14 votes)
AdventureCAT (15 votes)
94Jackie_K
Thanks for your hard work, NinieB!
I think I will just be dipping into Random and History CATs, if I happen to have a book that's relevant that month, rather than committing myself in advance each month - I overcommitted myself to too many challenges this year, so next year I will be more relaxed!
I think I will just be dipping into Random and History CATs, if I happen to have a book that's relevant that month, rather than committing myself in advance each month - I overcommitted myself to too many challenges this year, so next year I will be more relaxed!
95Helenliz
That's a nice varied set of CATs.
Lookinf foward to some more detail on the Genre and History CAT setups.
Lookinf foward to some more detail on the Genre and History CAT setups.
96rabbitprincess
Hurray! I guess I'll get cracking on randomizing the BingoDOG categories then :D
97DeltaQueen50
I guess the next step is to get volunteers to set up each of Cats that we are going with in 2021. Personally, I hope we only go with the top three as there are so many Kits being formed already and I find it gets too stressful to commit to too many challenges.
I would volunteer to oversee the set up of one of the challenges but the people that first suggested them should have the first chance to do this:
Ladyof theLodge suggested RandomCat
LibCin suggested HistoryCat
Robertgreaves suggested GenreCat
I would volunteer to oversee the set up of one of the challenges but the people that first suggested them should have the first chance to do this:
Ladyof theLodge suggested RandomCat
LibCin suggested HistoryCat
Robertgreaves suggested GenreCat
98LibraryCin
>92 NinieB: I'm excited to do all three CATs next year!
99LibraryCin
>97 DeltaQueen50: I'll be happy to set up the HistoryCAT.
100LadyoftheLodge
I can set up the RandomCAT planning thread.
101LibraryCin
Thought I'd post the link for the HistoryCAT discussion:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/326121
http://www.librarything.com/topic/326121
103LadyoftheLodge
RandomCAT planning thread here:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/326123
https://www.librarything.com/topic/326123
104Robertgreaves
GenreCAT planning thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/326130
105MissWatson
The results fit nicely with my preliminary planning. Thanks for organising the vote, Ninie!
107LadyoftheLodge
Can we get MysteryKIT added to our 2021 Challenge page? Thanks!
109LadyoftheLodge
>108 rabbitprincess: Thank you!
110sturlington
>108 rabbitprincess: There is a wiki page for the 2021 ScaredyKIT at https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/2021_ScaredyKIT -- can we get that link added as well?
Hi, everybody, feel free to join us on the ScaredyKIT! This is a fun KIT where you can read horror, dark fantasy, thrillers, and true crime, and I think we have a lot of fun categories planned for next year!
Hi, everybody, feel free to join us on the ScaredyKIT! This is a fun KIT where you can read horror, dark fantasy, thrillers, and true crime, and I think we have a lot of fun categories planned for next year!
112LadyoftheLodge
MysteryKIT still has a few spots open for hosts. Volunteers needed and welcomed. You can select from the list of suggestions or come up with your own.
113SilverWolf28
Dit bericht is door zijn auteur gewist.
114LadyoftheLodge
Thanks to all who volunteered for MysteryKIT and RandomCAT. We will have a good year of reading in 2021--and hopefully a much better year overall than 2020.
115LadyoftheLodge
RandomCAT wiki is here: https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/2021_RandomCAT
116LadyoftheLodge
MysteryKIT wiki is here: https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/MysteryKIT_2021
117LibraryCin
HistoryCAT has finally figured out the monthly themes, and now we're looking for hosts!
http://www.librarything.com/topic/326121
And KITastrophe is just looking for one more host:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/325729
Thanks!
http://www.librarything.com/topic/326121
And KITastrophe is just looking for one more host:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/325729
Thanks!
118Robertgreaves
The GenreCAT wiki is now open for business: https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/GenreCAT_2021
119pamelad
CAT planning for 2022 has started: https://www.librarything.com/topic/336021#7629087
120pamelad
Tomorrow is the last day for 2022 CAT suggestions: 10 pm Sunday, San Francisco time. (I think it's tomorrow for everyone. The time zones are confusing.)
121pamelad
Here is the link to the 2022 CAT poll. Please choose your favourite CATs, maximum 4.
https://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=617f6ec1e4b04db784c19635
Voting closes 4pm, Saturday, November 6th, Melbourne, Australia. That's 10 pm Friday in San Francisco.
https://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=617f6ec1e4b04db784c19635
Voting closes 4pm, Saturday, November 6th, Melbourne, Australia. That's 10 pm Friday in San Francisco.
122sturlington
Sorry, I'm in the wrong thread.