MobileRead September 2011 Mobile Read Book Club Vote

[Thasaidon]

Just a couple of quick question of the people who said they would not read the Chinese Maze Murders or were vocal in not wanting to win - 1. Why? 2. Have you read any of Mr. van Gulik's Judge Dee books?

I first read the Judge Dee books over 30 years ago and thought they were excellent and still find them so. I have reread them many times and look forward to rereading them again.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Thasaidon

Just a couple of quick question of the people who said they would not read the Chinese Maze Murders or were vocal in not wanting to win - 1. Why? 2. Have you read any of Mr. van Gulik's Judge Dee books?

I first read the Judge Dee books over 30 years ago and thought they were excellent and still find them so. I have reread them many times and look forward to rereading them again.

I had exactly these thoughts. Thank you for voicing them.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by Thasaidon

Just a couple of quick question of the people who said they would not read the Chinese Maze Murders or were vocal in not wanting to win - 1. Why? 2. Have you read any of Mr. van Gulik's Judge Dee books?

I first read the Judge Dee books over 30 years ago and thought they were excellent and still find them so. I have reread them many times and look forward to rereading them again.

1a. There are 2 other books in which I am more interested in reading.
1b. Chinese Maze Murders did not immediately catch my intrest or attention.
1c. It is too expensive for my tastes. I will not pay more than $7.99 for a book/author I know little to nothing about.

2. No, I have not read any. In fact, I had never heard of it before it's being nominated.

[Ron.]

myself I am just not into mysteries, I think it is my least favorite genre.

[vivaldirules]

Originally Posted by Ron.

myself I am just not into mysteries, I think it is my least favorite genre.

Me, too. I can't remember reading one in the last three or four decades. But the Wikipedia entry peaked my interest. And maybe it's time I tried something different. Downloading now.

[Asawi]

Originally Posted by Thasaidon

Just a couple of quick question of the people who said they would not read the Chinese Maze Murders or were vocal in not wanting to win - 1. Why? 2. Have you read any of Mr. van Gulik's Judge Dee books?

1. The description doesn't make we want to read it enough to pay $10 (or thereabout) for it.

2. No I have not. I will however give them a go if one gets available (as ePub) on my library.

[din155]

Why should I read a book that I have not heard about and is costlier than the one which I thought was more interesting and is cheaper?

[issybird]

Price is an important factor. I'd like to read Bruno but was taken aback to see that it's Agency-priced at $11.99, which is way too high for my comfort level for a mystery.

Oddly enough, Chinese Maze Murders is cheaper for Kindle than either Bruno or Storm Front. If your device reads ePubs, it can be bought with discounts from Kobo and Sony this weekend, so perhaps some on the fence will take the plunge. There's a 20% coupon for Kobo and a 50% coupon at Sony that would knock the price down to $5.20.

I'm truly curious. People say Judge Dee doesn't appeal to them, but not why it doesn't appeal to them. Why isn't it as interesting?

[Asawi]

WHy it's not interesting, or rather doesn't appeal to me?
I don't particularly like historical fiction books. (I wouldn't read Sherlock Holmes either now. Have read them in the past though.)
There just isn't anything in the description that grabs my interest. If I didn't have a ridicilouslu long TBR already I probably would be more open to it, but...

[Ron.]

exactly, I have so many books that I want to read but not enough time for them, to stop and read one that's not a genre I can for...

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Asawi

WHy it's not interesting, or rather doesn't appeal to me?
I don't particularly like historical fiction books.

That's the kind of thing I was wondering about, thanks.

[lila55]

Originally Posted by issybird

My suggestion would be to have a poll to see if people really want the voters hidden and take it from there.

Good idea!

[caleb72]

Good luck with the book this month. I didn't participate in the voting this time as I didn't think it likely I'd get to read the book next month or even the one after.

I absolutely loved The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. I wouldn't have voted for it as I'm not really up for a re-read but it was a great book.

I think I would have fallen in with the majority in this vote. The Chinese Maze Murders looks really interesting.

I might check in on the discussion thread when it's open just to see what people thought of it.

[melmac]

This was my first book club vote, I was excited that this month was mysteries as it's my favourite genre. I voted for Storm front as I had heard good things about it, it was also sci-fi which is a genre I do not read much of and I wanted to try something different.

I am tossing up whether to get the Chinese Maze murders as it didn't instantly appeal. It is priced at $8.17 (kobo) here. I usually prefer my novels to be more modern than this one but I think I may give it a try anyway assuming I get through the one I'm reading now in time. I do not like reading multiple books at the same time.

[Thasaidon]

Originally Posted by din155

Why should I read a book that I have not heard about and is costlier than the one which I thought was more interesting and is cheaper?

No reason at all but does that justify a campaign against a specific. book or author?

I will repeat I read the Judge Dee books over 30 years ago and they are among my favourite books even though crime is far from my favourite genre.

I would recommend them to anyone to try but accept that they will not suit everyone.