MobileRead For the 2016 categories, as a 1st step, can we.... - Page 10

crich70 · 02-08-2015, 04:24 PM

As far as discussions go why not also have a themed topic in the Writer's Corner forum where some aspect of fiction/non-fiction writing is discussed. One month could be about Characterization for example, another about researching effectively, another about plot, one about editing tips, etc. as a way of centralizing threads and make it easier to find tips that help someone who is struggling with some aspect of writing. Just a thought.

Nyssa · 02-08-2015, 05:06 PM

I have a suggestion that will be used in a brand new group started by Nicki over on GoodReads, that sounds really interesting (to me, anyway). I've been given permission to suggest it to this group.

I've tweaked the number of nominations so that it fits in with what we've been doing up to this point.

Random Book selection:

Each month there will be a nomination thread in which any members may submit THREE eligible titles for the drawing. At the end of the nomination period, all submitted titles will be thrown into the list randomiser on Random.org, and the winning title will be the next month's selection.

It says "eligible" because that is specifically a Speculative Fiction themed Group.

caleb72 · 02-09-2015, 11:30 PM

I think one thing I've taken away from this discussion is that perhaps I should focus on posts that invite discussion. I think I've managed this in the literary club, but I don't think I've been as successful at doing this in the main book club.

So I'm going to try to ask questions and make suggestions, so that my posts become part of a discussion rather than just a few paragraphs amounting to "I liked it" or "I didn't like it".

Dazrin · 02-17-2015, 07:21 PM

No responses here for over a week, so I thought I would look at popularity another way.

Here is a non-scientific analysis of what people on MR are actually reading.

I searched the what are we reading thread for a few terms that were suggested in many of the proposed lists and the results are in the spoiler. Obviously this only counts the number of instances a word shows up and not all books that are discussed will include a genre keyword in the post, but it was easy. I would just search the reading recommendations forum, but the 500 result limit makes that less than helpful. "Oh look 500 results again, how fascinating..."

Do these results line up with what you expect? Any surprises?

Spoiler:

Nyssa · 02-17-2015, 09:22 PM

Assuming we keep January as is....

Science Fiction is actually the most popular search with 606 searches (Since Scifi is the same as Science Fiction). So, if we wanted genres only the list would be:

1. Science Fiction
2.Mystery
3a. Thriller
3b. Romance
4. Adventure
5. Classic
6. Crime
7. Non-Fiction (plus nonfiction) = 273 searches
8. Horror
9. Travel
10. Humor
----------This would be 11 months assuming none of the above are combined----------
11a. Suspense
11b. Biography

However, Mystery & Suspense; Mystery & Thriller; Mystery, Suspense & Thriller; or Suspense & Thriller are all possible combinations.

While pairing Mystery or Thriller with Suspense would not change the order of the list (other than to move Mystery higher, combining Mystery & Thriller would then move Suspense into the 11th spot. If we combine the 3, then Biography would get the 11th spot.

Then there is the question of whether or not Non Fiction would be considered a genre on its own. IF it is, then nothing on the list would change, if not, then we would have an open spot for say Free for All.

JSWolf · 02-17-2015, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

However, Mystery & Suspense; Mystery & Thriller; Mystery, Suspense & Thriller; or Suspense & Thriller are all possible combinations.

I'll go with Suspense & Thriller, but I feel that Mystery does not go with Suspense and Thriller. So please leave Mystery all on it's own.

CRussel · 02-18-2015, 01:45 AM

Well, Jon, but then where do you put mysteries that are also thrillers. Certainly there are many that sit on the border line between the two.

Dazrin · 02-18-2015, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Science Fiction is actually the most popular search with 606 searches (Since Scifi is the same as Science Fiction).

Definitely, maybe... Since the search only gives up to 500 results, either "fantasy" or "mystery" could be significantly larger. But regardless, using that method those 3 are by far the top.

Nyssa · 02-18-2015, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazrin

Definitely, maybe... Since the search only gives up to 500 results, either "fantasy" or "mystery" could be significantly larger. But regardless, using that method those 3 are by far the top.

That's why I said "Based on Dazin's findings:" since I could only work with the data in front of me.

WT Sharpe · 02-18-2015, 10:30 AM

Thanks to everyone who has participated and continues to participate in this thread. When I get back home I'll gather everything together and perhaps run a poll or two to see where we go from here. Some very good suggestions have been put forward.

BenG · 02-18-2015, 12:45 PM

How about no monthly themes or categories but with the restriction that it can't be the same genre two months in a row?

WT Sharpe · 02-18-2015, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenG

How about no monthly themes or categories but with the restriction that it can't be the same genre two months in a row?

...or maybe not the same category within X number of months.

CRussel · 02-18-2015, 04:57 PM

I confess I'm still in favour of a bit more structure than that. I really like categories, it forces me outside my own genres. Which is good and bad - I am having a hard time with this month's book. I may well abandon it.

JSWolf · 02-19-2015, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

Well, Jon, but then where do you put mysteries that are also thrillers. Certainly there are many that sit on the border line between the two.

If there is a real mystery that is also a thriller, then it can be nominated in the mystery category. Most mystery don't fit into thriller. But the issue is that many thrillers are not mystery and they don't fit well together as a category. That's like SF/Fantasy. Bad idea. very bad idea. Mystery/Thriller is also a very bad idea.

The categories have to be kept separate and not try to shoehorn in categories that do not work together. No many do work when combined. So the best way to deal is not to do it.

treadlightly · 02-19-2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazrin

No responses here for over a week, so I thought I would look at popularity another way.

Here is a non-scientific analysis of what people on MR are actually reading.

I searched the what are we reading thread for a few terms that were suggested in many of the proposed lists and the results are in the spoiler. Obviously this only counts the number of instances a word shows up and not all books that are discussed will include a genre keyword in the post, but it was easy. I would just search the reading recommendations forum, but the 500 result limit makes that less than helpful. "Oh look 500 results again, how fascinating..."

Do these results line up with what you expect? Any surprises?

I get 166 responses for "historical fiction". I'm hoping it doesn't get skipped as a potential category in this round of discussion.

02-08-2015, 05:06 PM	#137
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	Experimental Suggestion: I have a suggestion that will be used in a brand new group started by Nicki over on GoodReads, that sounds really interesting (to me, anyway). I've been given permission to suggest it to this group. I've tweaked the number of nominations so that it fits in with what we've been doing up to this point. Random Book selection: Each month there will be a nomination thread in which any members may submit THREE eligible titles for the drawing. At the end of the nomination period, all submitted titles will be thrown into the list randomiser on Random.org, and the winning title will be the next month's selection. It says "eligible" because that is specifically a Speculative Fiction themed Group. Last edited by Nyssa; 02-08-2015 at 05:08 PM.

02-17-2015, 09:22 PM	#140
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	Based on Dazin's findings: Assuming we keep January as is.... Science Fiction is actually the most popular search with 606 searches (Since Scifi is the same as Science Fiction). So, if we wanted genres only the list would be: 1. Science Fiction 2.Mystery 3a. Thriller 3b. Romance 4. Adventure 5. Classic 6. Crime 7. Non-Fiction (plus nonfiction) = 273 searches 8. Horror 9. Travel 10. Humor ----------This would be 11 months assuming none of the above are combined---------- 11a. Suspense 11b. Biography However, Mystery & Suspense; Mystery & Thriller; Mystery, Suspense & Thriller; or Suspense & Thriller are all possible combinations. While pairing Mystery or Thriller with Suspense would not change the order of the list (other than to move Mystery higher, combining Mystery & Thriller would then move Suspense into the 11th spot. If we combine the 3, then Biography would get the 11th spot. Then there is the question of whether or not Non Fiction would be considered a genre on its own. IF it is, then nothing on the list would change, if not, then we would have an open spot for say Free for All.

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02-08-2015, 04:24 PM	#136
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,305 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	As far as discussions go why not also have a themed topic in the Writer's Corner forum where some aspect of fiction/non-fiction writing is discussed. One month could be about Characterization for example, another about researching effectively, another about plot, one about editing tips, etc. as a way of centralizing threads and make it easier to find tips that help someone who is struggling with some aspect of writing. Just a thought.

02-09-2015, 11:30 PM	#138
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	I think one thing I've taken away from this discussion is that perhaps I should focus on posts that invite discussion. I think I've managed this in the literary club, but I don't think I've been as successful at doing this in the main book club. So I'm going to try to ask questions and make suggestions, so that my posts become part of a discussion rather than just a few paragraphs amounting to "I liked it" or "I didn't like it".

02-18-2015, 01:45 AM	#142
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,172 Karma: 79742714 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	Well, Jon, but then where do you put mysteries that are also thrillers. Certainly there are many that sit on the border line between the two.

02-18-2015, 10:30 AM	#145
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,073 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	Thanks to everyone who has participated and continues to participate in this thread. When I get back home I'll gather everything together and perhaps run a poll or two to see where we go from here. Some very good suggestions have been put forward.

02-18-2015, 12:45 PM	#146
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	How about no monthly themes or categories but with the restriction that it can't be the same genre two months in a row?

02-18-2015, 04:57 PM	#148
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,172 Karma: 79742714 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	I confess I'm still in favour of a bit more structure than that. I really like categories, it forces me outside my own genres. Which is good and bad - I am having a hard time with this month's book. I may well abandon it.

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