MobileRead February 2013 Book Club Vote

[caleb72]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So if we Shute Neville, does that mean we don't have to read A Town like Alice if it wins and can instead officially read Stardust?

[JSWolf]

According to the reviews I've read, A Town Like Alice is just a story whereas Stardust is a really moving story with lots going for it.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Nothing says romance like money!

[caleb72]

This is an amazing race between the two leaders. Every time I check in one has inched forward or the other has caught up. It's becoming quite exciting - which probably says something about my life at the moment.

[VeggieCat]

Just tied them up with my vote for Stardust

[treadlightly]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

While I strongly disagree with Gabaldon, I'm not ready to write her off my list. This is the 2nd (or 3rd) time I've seen Outlander nominated for a book club of which I'm a member, so my curiosity has been piqued.

I really liked Outlander. I immediately read the rest of the series (and they aren't short novels) because I enjoyed the premise and characters.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by VeggieCat

Just tied them up with my vote for Stardust

Well done!

[JSWolf]

Someone please vote for Stardust and not A Town Like Alice. Stardust is a magical romance that makes people happy where A Town Like Alice is a dreary war story.

[caleb72]

I feel quite uncharitable to question, but does it seem a little odd that votes were progressing apace across all selections and then suddenly drop of in favour of the two front-runners?

Given that we have multiple choice voting it seems strange that only two selections are attracting votes towards the end of this poll.

Am I just being paranoid?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by caleb72

I feel quite uncharitable to question, but does it seem a little odd that votes were progressing apace across all selections and then suddenly drop of in favour of the two front-runners?

Given that we have multiple choice voting it seems strange that only two selections are attracting votes towards the end of this poll.

Am I just being paranoid?

It's because of open voting. People see that the other choices win't win so the vote for one of the possible winners. In a hidden vote, this is not possible so people vote for what they want since they cannot se how the vote is going or who voted for what.

[Piper_]

I'm on Tapatalk and can't see the poll, but from a quick scan of the thread, it looks like this book is out of the running...

Nevertheless, for future reads, I cannot recommend "The Greatest Knight" highly enough. Chadwick is an outstanding writer of history, and this is her masterpiece. It is followed by "The Scarlet Lion", which while not necessary, is just as good and a great follow - up you won't want to miss. It covers the latter years of his life and family, until his death.

I read it and the three following (2 about his children) twice within 3 months of buying, and everyone I rec'd it to loved it. When I saw the "Books you can't put down" thread, it was one of the first that came to my mind.

I would not classify it as a romance, but historical fiction /biography of the truly fascinating and adventuresome life of William Marshall, who was called the Greatest Knight in the realm of Britain.
He began as a relative nobody, but wound up a highly respected earl, serving the Plantagenets from Henry II through Henry III (including Richard the Lionheart and John). He was regent of England for young Henry III.

There is some romance in that his very happy marriage is covered, but otherwise, I'd only classify it as romance of the Ivanhoe type.

[caleb72]

Originally Posted by Piper_

Nevertheless, for future reads, I cannot recommend "The Greatest Knight" highly enough. Chadwick is an outstanding writer of history, and this is her masterpiece. It is followed by "The Scarlet Lion", which while not necessary, is just as good and a great follow - up you won't want to miss. It covers the latter years of his life and family, until his death.

I read it and the three following (2 about his children) twice within 3 months of buying, and everyone I rec'd it to loved it. When I saw the "Books you can't put down" thread, it was one of the first that came to my mind.

I would not classify it as a romance, but historical fiction /biography of the truly fascinating and adventuresome life of William Marshall, who was called the Greatest Knight in the realm of Britain.
He began as a relative nobody, but wound up a highly respected earl, serving the Plantagenets from Henry II through Henry III (including Richard the Lionheart and John). He was regent of England for young Henry III.

There is some romance in that his very happy marriage is covered, but otherwise, I'd only classify it as romance of the Ivanhoe type.

Thanks for that. I thought the book looked interesting (although admittedly not for a romance selection) and I put the book on my wish list. Good to get a recommendation for it.

[caleb72]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's because of open voting. People see that the other choices win't win so the vote for one of the possible winners. In a hidden vote, this is not possible so people vote for what they want since they cannot se how the vote is going or who voted for what.

I was thinking perhaps that might be it. But with multiple choice voting, what's the point? You can still vote for what you really want to read regardless of any strategic voting decisions.

If you think Outlander might not be able to win and you'd prefer Stardust over A Town Like Alice, why not vote for Outlander and Stardust but omit A Town Like Alice?

Although I really love Stardust, I definitely didn't want it to win, so I definitely didn't vote for it. But everything else that interested me in any way for Feb got a vote.

Maybe not everyone understands the multiple choice voting as it's fairly new?

[Piper_]

(sorry for double - posting, but I tend to lose posts I edit in this app, and there's no preview.)

First, I just read my post, and want to clarify that I only read the first 2 twice. )

Regarding the Romances in the list... I've only read three, I think...

Lolita - definitely squicky, but not as much as I expected. Partly because she is so forward/loose, she doesn't come off as his victim (part of the dilemma you feel in reading it), but mostly because the overall presentation is so compelling... It's a page - turning study of inner moral struggles.
I'd recommend it as an important read. It would also lend itself to some interesting discussion.

Outlander - I wouldn't rec. It's a romance and very popular but it took me several tries to get into, and I never liked the main character. First person. Huge door-stopper. Writing is sub-par. I eventually read it and a few of the others, only because I was interested in the Jacobites, but couldn't finish the series. And this is a real series, with cliffhangers.

Love Story - short, easy, true love story. Sad. Almost over the top on the pulling of heartstrings. Not much to talk about.

[Piper_]

Originally Posted by caleb72

Thanks for that. I thought the book looked interesting (although admittedly not for a romance selection) and I put the book on my wish list. Good to get a recommendation for it.

You're welcome. It's from Sourcebooks, so watch for sales. I'd add Scarlet Lion to the watch list too. They both come on sale every few months, tho not at the same time.