MobileRead Forums - MobileRead May 2016 Special Run-Off Vote

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May 2016 Special Run-Off Vote

May 2016 Mobile Read Book Club Special Run-Off Vote

Since this month's vote resulted in a tie, we are having a Special Run-Off Vote between the leading candidates. I will not vote in this poll unless my vote is needed to break a tie. This poll will be open for 3 days, and all MobileRead members are invited to participate. Since there are more than two options, this is a visible, multiple-choice poll.

We will start the discussion thread for this book on May 20th. Please select from the following three Choices:

• The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein
Goodreads | Amazon Ca / Amazon UK / Amazon US / Kobo US
Print Length: 288 pages

Spoiler:

• The Door Into Summer by Robert A Heinlein
Goodreads | Amazon US
Print Length: 304 pages

Spoiler:

• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Goodreads | Amazon US
Print Length: 158 pages

Spoiler:

I've stuck with my nomination. Though it is an interesting novel, I'm not keen to read Brave New World once again, as I have read it several times already. Personally, I think that TDIS is one of Heinlein's best works, a standalone and a genuine classic by a Golden Age science fiction author. The Steerswoman gets some good reviews too {though some reviewers complain about unnecessary brutality}but it is the first of a series and such works tend to end with inconclusive or unresolved events.

Well, even though I nominated The Steerswoman, and would really like it to win, I can also vote for The Door Into Summer. Both are good books that we will enjoy reading, IMO.

The Steerswoman has the virtue of being lesser known, and with strong female protagonists, making it rather different than classic SF. Plus the idea of the steerswomen (who do include some steersmen) is interesting and unique.

The Door into Summer is classic Heinlein, classic time travel paradoxes, and has Pixel, the cat. All good things. And while it is somewhat more expensive, it's not outside my limit, and it does have an audio edition, a plus for those who prefer to read that way.

As for BNW, I've made my views clear. I'll not be reading it, regardless.

I've read Brave New World and it wasn't worth reading.

Things are looking up for The Steerswoman. I've downloaded it as it is one I'll certainly read at some point even if it doesn't win.

FYI, that's Steerswoman, not Steerwoman, but otherwise, I agree, it's looking hopeful. Still early, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel (Post 3311229)

FYI, that's Steerswoman, not Steerwoman.

Right! :smack::thumbsup:

Question for the group -- If The Steerswoman wins, which is seeming likely right now, would folks like me to invite Ms. Kirstein to join us for the discussion? I know it's not typical, and I have no idea if she is either willing or able, but she might be, and it might be interesting. OTOH, if folks don't like the idea, I won't even pose it to her. (She is not, so far as I'm aware, a current MR member.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel (Post 3311836)

As long as she doesn't use magic against us in case we have any bad things to say about the book :). I think it's a very good suggestion.

I have no problem with that.

Then I'll ask. Meanwhile, I've started my re-read of the book, and it's sucking me in, demanding I find time to read. :)

Time to buy The Steerswoman.

I read it when I thought it was going to lose!

Welcome back, issybird. You didn't read it in vain, then, since it won, much to my surprise. :) I started reading it last night in the hotel, read it during dinner, then at breakfast and finally finished it as my flight was touching down in Toronto.

I'm starting today! Luckily I had bought it some time ago on sale or with a good kobo coupon, I can't remember.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The following back from Rosemary Kirstein:

Quote:

What lovely news! When I read your email, I immediately thought that it would be great fun to follow along in the discussion, and occasionally comment …

But then, I thought about it, and something occurred to me. If the book club members knew that the author was reading everything they said, would some of them feel a bit hesitant to speak honestly? Although it would be nice if everyone loved my book, I’d really like it if people also felt totally free to hate my book! And to talk about it, and get in arguments about it with each other!

I wouldn’t want my presence to have a dampening effect on the discussion. You know these people; what’s your impression on this? Do they know that you’ve asked me? Are they expressing any opinions about the possibility?

Thanks for the invitation – let me know what you (and they) think.

Based on the comments so far, I responded that I thought we could have a good discussion with her present, and that I at least was interested to have a "primary source" to discuss with. But if folks do feel that they couldn't be honest and forthright with the author listening, speak up, please.

I have no problem being honest. I just grabbed the book from Overdrive and once I finish the book I am reading in a day or two, I'll start on [i]The Steerswoman[/i.

I'm all for it. It would be an interesting experiment. We've had comments both pro and con on the works of other MobileRead authors in other threads, but I don't recall ever having an author joining for the express purpose of participating in a thread in the MobileRead Book Club.

Thank you, Charlie. I think this is a wonderful plan.

I'd just like to hope people will make a point of reading and showing up for the discussion. This has the potential to be a blast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird (Post 3313326)

Thank you, Charlie. I think this is a wonderful plan.

I'd just like to hope people will make a point of reading and showing up for the discussion. This has the potential to be a blast.

I hope so too. I know I have one hard question to ask and this is a good venue for that.

Early on in the book club I think there was at least one author who joined the discussions, he may have been already a member but it still went well it appears.

Looks like he's been a member for a year when that discussion took place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird (Post 3313326)

Thank you, Charlie. I think this is a wonderful plan.

I'd just like to hope people will make a point of reading and showing up for the discussion. This has the potential to be a blast.

I agree and I'll be there if I can. I'm away on the 19th for six days. But I should have WiFi access at night and/or late afternoon so I should be able to participate somewhat. I'll be starting the book probably Tuesday.

It would be good to have the discussion with the author present. It's true that I might be slightly more diplomatic with the author present, but no less honest.

I think that's exactly what any author would want, frankly. Honest opinions expressed without venom, and especially if backed by specifics, are actually quite helpful. Blanket "it sucked" is, however, rather useless and counter productive. But equally "it's perfect" is equally useless and counter productive, though perhaps easier on the ego. :)

Another thread where the author participated:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=103214

I'm joining the book club this month. Bought a copy of The Steerswoman and started reading it this afternoon. It had a good beginning and I have a lot of hope for it to continue to keep me engaged.

Welcome! As are any others, of course.

FYI, Ms. Kirstein has replied that she would be joining us for the discussion. Should be fun!

Looking forward to it. I don't discuss much but will be interesting discussion to watch. The book itself has been very gripping so far..!

This is ridiculous. The Steerswoman is FANTASY and should never have been nominated let alone win. I do think there's enough time to dump it and go with The Door into Summer.

I want to know why this sort of thing is allowed.

Jon, You'll note that I said at the time of nomination that it appears to be fantasy, but is, in fact, science fiction. I still think that is true. (And I read a fair amount of both, so feel qualified to have an opinion on it.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel (Post 3315911)

What makes it science fiction and not fantasy?

Too much of a spoiler to answer. That will have to wait until we have our discussion. When you can bring this up then, if you still think so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel (Post 3315915)

Too much of a spoiler to answer. That will have to wait until we have our discussion. When you can bring this up then, if you still think so.

OK. I'll see what I think as I'm going to be starting it today.