MobileRead Online book club? - Page 2

Richard Herley · 10-10-2008, 02:20 PM

Just a thought, but if you chose one of mine you'd have the author on hand to quiz -- and to insult if you hated it!

pilotbob · 10-10-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Herley

Just a thought, but if you chose one of mine you'd have the author on hand to quiz -- and to insult if you hated it!

True... and you would know if people liked it from the message thread.. and make sure they paid for it...

My biggest issue would be that I am only reading about a book a month at my current pace. Of course, if I spent as much time reading books as I do here that rate would go up probably 4x at least.

BOb

astrodad · 10-10-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshrynk

One option would be to use books uploaded here. There are a lot of really good works in the pile. At least for some of the months, anyway.

I agree. Let's start with the books here. We can also publicize the clubs to draw attention to the MR collection, which in my opinion, is an incredible library.

Richard Herley · 10-10-2008, 03:02 PM

BOb, I'm not being entirely altruistic, of course, because this would be a great way to get my publishing model better known. One advantage is that the book would cost nothing to read, and is available in just about every format, including plain ASCII text. There are six to choose from, one a prize-winner, and even the "SF" title (Refuge) might appeal to the general reader. The one I'd recommend is The Penal Colony. That has action and adventure underpinned with reflections on the role of the individual in society, so there would be plenty to discuss.

Anyway, as I say, just a thought. Whether or not the group goes for it, I'd be interested in participating too. You get much more out of reading if you have a chance to discuss the work with others: a deeper insight and new perspectives. Reading is a creative as well as a passive activity; your technique can always be improved.

atlchica · 10-10-2008, 03:05 PM

I'd love to join in!

desertgrandma · 10-10-2008, 03:05 PM

I really like this idea also, and think using a book available from mobileread would show how extensive our library is.

Who will choose?

PsyDocJoanne · 10-10-2008, 03:09 PM

Thanks, everyone, for your excellent suggestions!

If you take a look at the welcome thread I posted, you'll see that I added a P.S. about choosing some public domain literature for our monthly reads. Of course, we don't have to look any farther than our own MobileRead library to do this.

My initial thought is to try out the Book Club with a couple of contemporary selections, see if we can really generate some interest and good discussion, and then incorporate some of the books available here.

I'm mostly suggesting this because I have seen in past threads that people don't always acknowledge the value of public domain literature (it's often called "old" or "boring" despite the fact that neither of those things is true), so I was concerned that going that route right from the get go would deter some people from joining in. I'm hopeful that once people get 'hooked' on the Club via some contemporary books, they'll be more likely to try out the public domain stuff.

However, if enough people are interested right off the bat, we could jump right in. Let me know what you guys think.

PsyDocJoanne · 10-10-2008, 03:12 PM

DesertGrandma,

Glad to have you on board! As far as who will choose, I think we all should, collectively.

I thought a good way to achieve that would be to have a discussion thread followed by a poll, where people could initially suggest ebooks; then, once all suggestions have been made, we can put up a poll to choose.

If you have other thoughts on this, please let me know!

desertgrandma · 10-10-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsyDocJoanne

DesertGrandma,

Glad to have you on board!Thank you. As far as who will choose, I think we all should, collectively.

I thought a good way to achieve that would be to have a discussion thread followed by a poll, where people could initially suggest ebooks; then, once all suggestions have been made, we can put up a poll to choose.
Or, members could take turns choosing the book for the following month? That way all genres are covered........just a thought.
If you have other thoughts on this, please let me know!

The best part about a book club is reading something you would never ordinarily read......even if you wind up hating it, you've learned something, and lots of times fine favorite new authors.

You'll never get 100% agreement...so, choose away! Except if the first book is "Dune" I'll be whining thru-out the entire book.............

cyan · 10-10-2008, 03:30 PM

Sounds like fun.

Dune is on my to read list.

PsyDocJoanne · 10-10-2008, 03:31 PM

>Or, members could take turns choosing the book for the following month? That way all genres are covered........just a thought.

Awesome idea! That would take a lot of back-and-forth right out of the equation, and everyone would get their chance to choose a book. The only things I'm not sure about are what we would do if we had a relatively fluid group of people (i.e. people coming and going each month), or a situation where we had a lot of people (say, 25 or more...because then you might not get to pick a book for as much as 2 years!).

I'm glad that people are tossing out suggestions like this...and now is the time for us to work out the kinks, so keep the suggestions coming!

dickon25 · 10-10-2008, 03:34 PM

Count me in too, but what happens if you hate the book after the first couple of chapters? Do you have to 'fess up' and take a pummelling from the boards??

desertgrandma · 10-10-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsyDocJoanne

>Or, members could take turns choosing the book for the following month? That way all genres are covered........just a thought.

Awesome idea! That would take a lot of back-and-forth right out of the equation, and everyone would get their chance to choose a book.

The only things I'm not sure about are what we would do if we had a relatively fluid group of people (i.e. people coming and going each month), or a situation where we had a lot of people (say, 25 or more...because then you might not get to pick a book for as much as 2 years!).

I'm glad that people are tossing out suggestions like this...and now is the time for us to work out the kinks, so keep the suggestions coming!

Maybe a commitment would be required to be in the 'choose a book' category? Or would that be too binding to some?

desertgrandma · 10-10-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dickon25

Count me in too, but what happens if you hate the book after the first couple of chapters? Do you have to 'fess up' and take a pummelling from the boards??

I'd say you have to read the entire thing regardless. Then you could post with some authority on why you hated it.........Lord knows I've read some of those books........

PsyDocJoanne · 10-10-2008, 03:46 PM

See, I knew stuff like this would come up!

I'm happy to let the club be a little fluid. I think that imposing a lot of stringent guidelines might deter folks...and I hope that if anything has come through in my last several posts, it's that I really want this to be as inclusive as possible, in the hopes that will help it to take off and really become a regular part of MobileRead.

If you don't like the book after a couple of chapters, I think it would be great to keep reading--as desertgrandma said, then you can tell us why it sucked!--but no immediate or severe harm should come to you if you jut stop reading, I think....

What say you all?

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10-10-2008, 02:20 PM	#16
Richard Herley Author Posts: 203 Karma: 1164907 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	Just a thought, but if you chose one of mine you'd have the author on hand to quiz -- and to insult if you hated it!

10-10-2008, 03:02 PM	#19
Richard Herley Author Posts: 203 Karma: 1164907 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	BOb, I'm not being entirely altruistic, of course, because this would be a great way to get my publishing model better known. One advantage is that the book would cost nothing to read, and is available in just about every format, including plain ASCII text. There are six to choose from, one a prize-winner, and even the "SF" title (Refuge) might appeal to the general reader. The one I'd recommend is The Penal Colony. That has action and adventure underpinned with reflections on the role of the individual in society, so there would be plenty to discuss. Anyway, as I say, just a thought. Whether or not the group goes for it, I'd be interested in participating too. You get much more out of reading if you have a chance to discuss the work with others: a deeper insight and new perspectives. Reading is a creative as well as a passive activity; your technique can always be improved.

10-10-2008, 03:05 PM	#20
atlchica Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Kindle, arriving on 10/14!	I'd love to join in!

10-10-2008, 03:05 PM	#21
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	I really like this idea also, and think using a book available from mobileread would show how extensive our library is. Who will choose?

10-10-2008, 03:09 PM	#22
PsyDocJoanne Loves her 505 and her Z4! Posts: 157 Karma: 631 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Weston, FL Device: Sony PRS-505	Thanks, everyone, for your excellent suggestions! If you take a look at the welcome thread I posted, you'll see that I added a P.S. about choosing some public domain literature for our monthly reads. Of course, we don't have to look any farther than our own MobileRead library to do this. My initial thought is to try out the Book Club with a couple of contemporary selections, see if we can really generate some interest and good discussion, and then incorporate some of the books available here. I'm mostly suggesting this because I have seen in past threads that people don't always acknowledge the value of public domain literature (it's often called "old" or "boring" despite the fact that neither of those things is true), so I was concerned that going that route right from the get go would deter some people from joining in. I'm hopeful that once people get 'hooked' on the Club via some contemporary books, they'll be more likely to try out the public domain stuff. However, if enough people are interested right off the bat, we could jump right in. Let me know what you guys think.

10-10-2008, 03:12 PM	#23
PsyDocJoanne Loves her 505 and her Z4! Posts: 157 Karma: 631 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Weston, FL Device: Sony PRS-505	DesertGrandma, Glad to have you on board! As far as who will choose, I think we all should, collectively. I thought a good way to achieve that would be to have a discussion thread followed by a poll, where people could initially suggest ebooks; then, once all suggestions have been made, we can put up a poll to choose. If you have other thoughts on this, please let me know!

10-10-2008, 03:30 PM	#25
cyan Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 479297 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Device: PRS-505, kindle, android	Sounds like fun. Dune is on my to read list.

10-10-2008, 03:31 PM	#26
PsyDocJoanne Loves her 505 and her Z4! Posts: 157 Karma: 631 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Weston, FL Device: Sony PRS-505	>Or, members could take turns choosing the book for the following month? That way all genres are covered........just a thought. Awesome idea! That would take a lot of back-and-forth right out of the equation, and everyone would get their chance to choose a book. The only things I'm not sure about are what we would do if we had a relatively fluid group of people (i.e. people coming and going each month), or a situation where we had a lot of people (say, 25 or more...because then you might not get to pick a book for as much as 2 years!). I'm glad that people are tossing out suggestions like this...and now is the time for us to work out the kinks, so keep the suggestions coming!

10-10-2008, 03:34 PM	#27
dickon25 Groupie Posts: 199 Karma: 818 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-505. Pocketbook Inkpad 840	Count me in too, but what happens if you hate the book after the first couple of chapters? Do you have to 'fess up' and take a pummelling from the boards??

10-10-2008, 03:46 PM	#30
PsyDocJoanne Loves her 505 and her Z4! Posts: 157 Karma: 631 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Weston, FL Device: Sony PRS-505	See, I knew stuff like this would come up! I'm happy to let the club be a little fluid. I think that imposing a lot of stringent guidelines might deter folks...and I hope that if anything has come through in my last several posts, it's that I really want this to be as inclusive as possible, in the hopes that will help it to take off and really become a regular part of MobileRead. If you don't like the book after a couple of chapters, I think it would be great to keep reading--as desertgrandma said, then you can tell us why it sucked!--but no immediate or severe harm should come to you if you jut stop reading, I think.... What say you all?

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