Thread: MobileRead Discussion/Suggestion Thread
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Old 06-30-2017, 10:56 AM   #359
John F
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Kobo Clara 2E
Quote:
Originally Posted by issybird View Post
I am honestly puzzled by this. What other kind of book club is there than a "discussion book club"? Anything else is just an opinion poll and not worth Tom's time or anyone else's, for that matter.

We've been around this block many times. I agree that there's no issue in non-participants nominating books; the more nominations, the better. It brings books to the attention of the membership and it gets sorted in the voting. But ultimately, a book club is not a performance, but if no one shows up for the discussion, is it anything at all.

I also understand that some, I hope many, read the book and don't post. But I'm increasingly frustrated that the non-posters can determine the choice, especially when it negatively affects the quality of the discussion.

Right now, Murakami is in the lead. As I said in one of the threads, the club has already had a Murakami selection and it seems a shame, with all the authors out there, to go for a repeat. But far worse is that the first discussion was a total non-starter; there were only two posts about the book and I don't see why this month would be different Really, what's the point? Is there some satisfaction for the non-participants in "winning" the poll and the discussion or absence thereof is immaterial?

But what about those who actually like to talk about books, but find that month after month the selection is lacklustre and at least in part because of the votes of the non-participants? Or who don't mind the choice necessarily, but show up and no one else is there because the other talkers didn't care for it? You can't have a discussion in a void.
We've gone back and forth on this before, so I am not really looking for a debate; I don't think we are going to change anyone minds. I was hoping we could have a poll, instead of "I'm right, your wrong, I can't understand" back and forth, to see where the community stands.

We split off the literary club, why not split off a discussion only group where you could tightly control who participates?
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