Quote:
Originally Posted by issybird
...That said, it's important to guard against a consistent scant majority or plurality imposing its choices every month. I don't think it's all that likely, but perception counts. People shouldn't feel excluded or as if their tastes are never taken into account...
|
Well said. I completely agree with your sentiment.
The only thing I would disagree with slightly is your opinion that it's not likely - I do think in recent years that those of us who like literary or older books often edge out other books and often just by a vote or two. That doesn't mean always obviously, but I think enough of the time that I've noticed it even though I'm often voting on the literary/older book side. For instance, if you look at 2014, I count 8 out of 12 winners that are either older and/or literary, which equals 2/3 of the year, and the first two winners this year are as well.
Quote:
|
...Still, there seems to be very little collegiality in the club. Mostly people seem unwilling to read something they wouldn't have read anyway. I think this is the big issue with lack of participation...
|
Would you, though, read something for this club that you wouldn't have read anyway? I think I have a few times over the years for this club, but nowadays if I don't like the selection then I skip it (unlike the lit club, where I often read books I wouldn't have otherwise).
I do agree though that that is a big issue with participation. When we had 100 people voting years ago, if only say a fifth read the actual winner you still had 20 people reading and discussing it. With only 25 voters, a fifth reading the actual winner amounts to only five people. We have had good long discussion threads in the literary club with five or less posters, but I think posters in that club get a little more involved with the selections and that's why.
I don't know how to change that for the general club. It casts such a wide net and as such brings in such a diverse group of members that it's going to be hard to encourage more group involvement on a regular monthly basis. Do you have any ideas?