Goodreads has launched the opening round for their yearly awards for the best books just recently. I skimmed through the categories myself, yet already saw quite mixed reviews about the suggestions for this year’s nominees.

Some categories like poetry and children books were removed (yeah, you can say that children ain’t a target audience for the Goodreads yet this platform always seemed to be well rounded).

Graphic novels is also something that was removed unfortunately. Although these ain’t my cup of tea, I’m almost sure it must be upsetting for a large group of people.

  • BulbasaurusThe7th@alien.topBEnglish
    0·
    10 months ago

    Well, first of all, I think it’s criminal that they don’t have any category for books under the YA age group now.
    Obviously it wasn’t 8-year-olds voting, but the fact that there is NO place for middle grade or lower in a SUPPOSEDLY all-encompassing award is just sad.

    Then also, no room for anything other than novels now? No comic/graphic novel, no poetry? I would also have a short story collection category.

    Then… now this is more tricky, but I would definitely divide the non-fiction/memoir/biogrpahy/history categories. I would have one award for more hard science topics, then a separate for more social stuff. Then a separate one that is biography and autobiography together.

    Also, a lot of my issue is that I feel books are in the wrong category.
    Cassandra Clare’s new YA romantic fantasy is in general fantasy, along with rewritten mythology? When we have whole separate categories for YA fantasy and romantasy? Why is she MORE fantasy than the others in those categories?

    Talking about those mythology ones, I would possibly introduce a whole new thing for rewritten stuff. You know, fairytale and mythology and whatever retellings?

    The groupings often feel so stupidly organised. Like a political fantasy, going against a YA romance, going against a middle grade, going against a feminsit retelling of ancient Greek stuff? With 15 awards already going out??? What’s the point??

    Also, and this will not be popular. If we have multiple awards going for what is essentially paranormal romance and such, why can’t we actually have a specific one that is ALL hardcore, not romantic, not teenage girl targeted fantasy?