MobileRead Discussion/Suggestion Thread

[issybird]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Actually I think it would be interesting to read this month's Star Trek nomination, as it contains the author's own words before they were run through Paramount's patented Franchise Homogenizer. The last such book I read was The City on the Edge of Forever: The Original Teleplay by Harlan Ellison, and it differed considerably from what finally aired. Though the episode became the all-time fan-favorite, to this day Ellison despises the late Gene Roddenberry for the changes he made to his script to make the characters nicer and more noble. "Eviscerated" is the word he used.

I know so very little about Star Trek that it would be akin to reading a book written in Martian. One of the few things I know is that there are generation, and I don't even know which generation this is or who's in which generation.

Oh, and Shatner wore a girdle.

[HomeInMyShoes]

^Shatner is the only reason I watch the old shows. Otherwise I am not a Star Trek fan at all.

[WT Sharpe]

Issy, This book concerns the original generation, of which Shatner's character played a major role. Since you already know that in the later movies Shatner wore a girdle, you should be good to go.

[HomeInMyShoes]

I might read it because it would fulfill science fiction, but I'd be giving up the opportunity to cross both science fiction and Bolivia at the same time off my reading challenges.

[CRussel]

In any given month, the title chosen will undoubtedly have some people opting not to read it for any of many reasons. That's a given, and entirely valid. Issy isn't likely to read a Star Wars book -- I get that.

What we're discussing here is how to make sure that we keep obvious blocking factors in mind when we make our selections. Both in the nominating process, and especially in the final voting process. And what several of us are suggesting is that long books (>500 pages or so), are more likely to cause people to opt out that month. As would, for example, a book not readily available from the US, or a book priced at $15 or more. (Even $9.99 is a lot for some people, and can be a blocker if the book isn't readily available from their library.)

[CRussel]

Having seen the quantity and quality of the discussion for this month's book, I'm convinced that we _can_ have a good and active discussion. But for that to happen, we need to actively think through all aspects of the process as we first choose a book, and then discuss it. We've talked about what characteristics make for a good Book Club selection, even though I'm not convinced we've all internalized them, but there were two aspects of the discussion this month that I think made a material difference in the quality of the discussion.

The first of those was having the author present and participating. Obviously that's not likely to be an option very often, but the unusual circumstances this month made it possible and I'm glad we were able to have Ms. Kirstein join us. If the opportunity arises at some future point for a book we've chosen, I would love to have it happen again, but I'm not holding my breath.

The second thing that I think helped was having an active discussion facilitator. As the nominator, I felt a certain responsibility and tried to make sure I stayed active in the discussion throughout. There's certainly no rule that says the nominator (or any other designated person) needs to do that, but I think it helps, and I'd like to encourage others who nominate a book to play a more active role than has sometimes been the case. I think we all benefit.

[WT Sharpe]

Does anyone have any objections if we drop the the practice of adding links to the nominations posts? I have recently begun adding a Goodreads link to all nominations, and since Goodreads already has their own links, it seems that it would make the nomination process easier for everyone. What do you think?

[issybird]

No objections here; I think it makes sense. Given our international population, many had to do their own search anyway. And OverDrive holdings are unique to each specific library.

[Dazrin]

Personally, I like to have them but it isn't a big deal for me if they aren't there. I need to search my library manually anyway and that is my first stop.

Does Goodreads give other store links anymore? Looking through last month's nominations I only see links for the Kindle eBook, Amazon, Stores > Smashwords (which is the only option) and libraries (WorldCat which isn't helpful for eBooks that I can see). There aren't links for B&N or Kobo in any of them that I can see. I have attached what I see for Heart of Darkness, I know it is available pretty much everywhere but the only non-Amazon option is Smashwords, even when I change to an "eBook" version of the book.

[CRussel]

I prefer to have at least the basic ones. I certainly use them, and do my best to provide them.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by issybird

No objections here; I think it makes sense. Given our international population, many had to do their own search anyway. And OverDrive holdings are unique to each specific library.

I've never quite understood the desire for OverDrive -- you still have to log into your library, and search for it, and see what, if anything, they have. The links are virtually useless from what I can see.

[Dazrin]

Completely agree about OD, I need to manually search my library anyway so having a link to their main site doesn't do me any good.

[JSWolf]

Sure, drop the links unless there a special reason for a link like a sale or its free.

[WT Sharpe]

I mean, people can still put them in if they want to, and I'll record them in the same manner as I have in the past. The main thing is I don't want people to feel obligated to make a time-consuming hunt for links to everything they post. It's convenient, but not necessary, and if it encourages more people to participate, that's a good thing. After all, I believe most of us have no problem finding ebooks to buy.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've advocated for the nominations and voting to be a month ahead just so we can nominate large books and have the time to read. Also, it can give us time to get the books from Overdrive since the wait list can be too long for a regular month.

There is another option. Just do all the nominating/voting in January and there you go for the year.

I think overall people would prefer books that weren't a huge time commitment in any case, especially if we'd like to entice people out of their comfort zone. I take your point about OverDrive; I'm usually pretty lucky when it comes to getting a book when the alternatives are pricey, but this month while I'm on a few waiting lists for Sapiens, I won't get it in time for the discussion.

I think your alternative option is a non-starter. Too much work for Tom in particular and everyone in general, for one thing. I think it would cut down on participation, also. By year-end, early voters might have moved on while people who joined the club after the vote are disenfranchised.