[sun surfer]

Quite a bit of food for thought, issy! I'll take this in chunks.

Originally Posted by issybird

One of my favorite things about the club is the lists of books. I try to get to many; in fact, right now I'm reading a book I gleaned from Bookpossum's nominations. A second-chance month obviously obviates this!

I don't object to revisiting any particular theme in theory, but in fact, I feel that some themes more than others would result in somewhat repetitive discussions. I'd rather see a new slate where each book was suggested for its own merits - including ones that might have been nominated before.

I agree with all of this, to a point. The point being that this is one month every few years, not any sort of regular occurrence. While I like new slates of books, we do get plenty of them, and I like the idea of having one month every few years to reflect, so to speak, and celebrate everyone equally for one month.

I see a flip side to the notion that everyone is represented by a book. By the time we finish a cycle, some may have dropped out, while other new members who perhaps don't feel as if they're entitled to a month yet are excluded. I'd rather see an open slate that represents current participants.

Nevertheless, it still represents our group and I dare say looking at the list of volunteers so far (which, by the way for anyone interested, I've added to the first post in this thread to have it collected somewhere), it's very representative.

I also like the idea of an open month rather than a retread because it gives scope for more serendipity. Recent discoveries, best-loved books, anything at all. We are pretty restricted most of the time, which I think is good from the standpoint of expanded horizons, but sometimes it's fun to read for, well, fun.

You have a good argument for Open for our next categories vote, if you feel so strongly about the category. I like Open, but I’m fine without it now since I consider the rotating months as an expanded version of it. Each volunteer gets to choose whatever they like for their month and so every other month is pretty serendipitous, and I love that.

I think it's apples and oranges to argue that an open month lost to other contenders; generally we like the structure. We haven't considered an open month vs. a retread, however. In the choice of two salmagundis, I'd go for the new dish rather than the leftovers.

It's just stating facts. We might have already had an open month on the slate somewhere this year, but we didn't because it didn't get enough votes. We may get one somewhere on the slate for next year. That doesn't change the fact that I really like the idea of a retrospective category to handle a rotating cycle reset.

I certainly get that you needed a backup plan if no one volunteered for a month, which I'm glad hasn't happened yet. But now that the issue's been raised, I don't see why we can't go for consensus rather than fiat. So far, people seem to like the notion of an open month. Now, if you want a month off, I can't argue that. But if that's not your motivation, why can't we have a poll?

People seem to like the notion of a retrospective month as well judging by posts after I first announced it. I imagine quite a few might be just as happy with any reasonable course of action. I really don’t think it’s such a big deal to most. However, I did spend the time coming up with the plan, I like it and am invested in trying it out. Some things do go to a vote and suggestions are always welcome and have often been taken, but I’ve always reserved the right to guide the club as I think best, as in fact you’ve counselled me to do in the past.

issy, I understand that you don't like the idea of a retrospective month and that’s a pity. However, I've already announced that it is to be the plan and hope you will give the (eventual) month a fair shake. I appreciate your opinions and wish you liked the plan better, but so it is. I offer that this is only one month every few years at most, there are others who like the plan, and I'd like to try it and see how it goes. I hope you can respect that.