MobileRead May 2016 Special Run-Off Vote - Page 2

CRussel · 05-07-2016, 01:34 AM

The following back from Rosemary Kirstein:

Quote:

What lovely news! When I read your email, I immediately thought that it would be great fun to follow along in the discussion, and occasionally comment …

But then, I thought about it, and something occurred to me. If the book club members knew that the author was reading everything they said, would some of them feel a bit hesitant to speak honestly? Although it would be nice if everyone loved my book, I’d really like it if people also felt totally free to hate my book! And to talk about it, and get in arguments about it with each other!

I wouldn’t want my presence to have a dampening effect on the discussion. You know these people; what’s your impression on this? Do they know that you’ve asked me? Are they expressing any opinions about the possibility?

Thanks for the invitation – let me know what you (and they) think.

Based on the comments so far, I responded that I thought we could have a good discussion with her present, and that I at least was interested to have a "primary source" to discuss with. But if folks do feel that they couldn't be honest and forthright with the author listening, speak up, please.

JSWolf · 05-07-2016, 04:27 AM

I have no problem being honest. I just grabbed the book from Overdrive and once I finish the book I am reading in a day or two, I'll start on [i]The Steerswoman[/i.

WT Sharpe · 05-07-2016, 08:43 AM

I'm all for it. It would be an interesting experiment. We've had comments both pro and con on the works of other MobileRead authors in other threads, but I don't recall ever having an author joining for the express purpose of participating in a thread in the MobileRead Book Club.

issybird · 05-07-2016, 09:22 AM

Thank you, Charlie. I think this is a wonderful plan.

I'd just like to hope people will make a point of reading and showing up for the discussion. This has the potential to be a blast.

CRussel · 05-07-2016, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

Thank you, Charlie. I think this is a wonderful plan.

I'd just like to hope people will make a point of reading and showing up for the discussion. This has the potential to be a blast.

I hope so too. I know I have one hard question to ask and this is a good venue for that.

Dazrin · 05-07-2016, 01:07 PM

Early on in the book club I think there was at least one author who joined the discussions, he may have been already a member but it still went well it appears.

WT Sharpe · 05-07-2016, 01:57 PM

Looks like he's been a member for a year when that discussion took place.

JSWolf · 05-07-2016, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

Thank you, Charlie. I think this is a wonderful plan.

I'd just like to hope people will make a point of reading and showing up for the discussion. This has the potential to be a blast.

I agree and I'll be there if I can. I'm away on the 19th for six days. But I should have WiFi access at night and/or late afternoon so I should be able to participate somewhat. I'll be starting the book probably Tuesday.

caleb72 · 05-07-2016, 09:42 PM

It would be good to have the discussion with the author present. It's true that I might be slightly more diplomatic with the author present, but no less honest.

CRussel · 05-07-2016, 10:30 PM

I think that's exactly what any author would want, frankly. Honest opinions expressed without venom, and especially if backed by specifics, are actually quite helpful. Blanket "it sucked" is, however, rather useless and counter productive. But equally "it's perfect" is equally useless and counter productive, though perhaps easier on the ego.

John F · 05-08-2016, 05:55 AM

Another thread where the author participated:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=103214

Hampshire Nanny · 05-09-2016, 09:48 PM

I'm joining the book club this month. Bought a copy of The Steerswoman and started reading it this afternoon. It had a good beginning and I have a lot of hope for it to continue to keep me engaged.

CRussel · 05-10-2016, 12:56 AM

Welcome! As are any others, of course.

FYI, Ms. Kirstein has replied that she would be joining us for the discussion. Should be fun!

din155 · 05-10-2016, 06:33 AM

Looking forward to it. I don't discuss much but will be interesting discussion to watch. The book itself has been very gripping so far..!

JSWolf · 05-11-2016, 03:35 PM

This is ridiculous. The Steerswoman is FANTASY and should never have been nominated let alone win. I do think there's enough time to dump it and go with The Door into Summer.

I want to know why this sort of thing is allowed.

View Poll Results: Which Sci-Fi book will win the May runoff?
The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein	11	68.75%
The Door Into Summer by Robert A. Heinlein	7	43.75%
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley	4	25.00%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

05-10-2016, 12:56 AM	#28
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,162 Karma: 79742714 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	Welcome! As are any others, of course. FYI, Ms. Kirstein has replied that she would be joining us for the discussion. Should be fun! Last edited by CRussel; 05-10-2016 at 01:36 AM.

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05-07-2016, 04:27 AM	#17
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,246 Karma: 129333566 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I have no problem being honest. I just grabbed the book from Overdrive and once I finish the book I am reading in a day or two, I'll start on [i]The Steerswoman[/i.

05-07-2016, 08:43 AM	#18
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.	I'm all for it. It would be an interesting experiment. We've had comments both pro and con on the works of other MobileRead authors in other threads, but I don't recall ever having an author joining for the express purpose of participating in a thread in the MobileRead Book Club.

05-07-2016, 09:22 AM	#19
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,263 Karma: 222544794 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	Thank you, Charlie. I think this is a wonderful plan. I'd just like to hope people will make a point of reading and showing up for the discussion. This has the potential to be a blast.

05-07-2016, 01:07 PM	#21
Dazrin Wizard Posts: 2,631 Karma: 73864785 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: PDXish Device: Kindle Voyage, various Android devices	Early on in the book club I think there was at least one author who joined the discussions, he may have been already a member but it still went well it appears.

05-07-2016, 01:57 PM	#22
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.	Looks like he's been a member for a year when that discussion took place.

05-07-2016, 09:42 PM	#24
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	It would be good to have the discussion with the author present. It's true that I might be slightly more diplomatic with the author present, but no less honest.

05-07-2016, 10:30 PM	#25
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,162 Karma: 79742714 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	I think that's exactly what any author would want, frankly. Honest opinions expressed without venom, and especially if backed by specifics, are actually quite helpful. Blanket "it sucked" is, however, rather useless and counter productive. But equally "it's perfect" is equally useless and counter productive, though perhaps easier on the ego.

05-08-2016, 05:55 AM	#26
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,196 Karma: 63764653 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Glo HD	Another thread where the author participated: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=103214

05-09-2016, 09:48 PM	#27
Hampshire Nanny Guru Posts: 614 Karma: 8064562 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3 KB, iPad2	I'm joining the book club this month. Bought a copy of *The Steerswoman* and started reading it this afternoon. It had a good beginning and I have a lot of hope for it to continue to keep me engaged.

05-10-2016, 06:33 AM	#29
din155 Guru Posts: 880 Karma: 7556602 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle PW, Win 10 thinkpad 8in	Looking forward to it. I don't discuss much but will be interesting discussion to watch. The book itself has been very gripping so far..!

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05-11-2016, 03:35 PM	#30
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,246 Karma: 129333566 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	This is ridiculous. The Steerswoman is FANTASY and should never have been nominated let alone win. I do think there's enough time to dump it and go with The Door into Summer. I want to know why this sort of thing is allowed.