Poll

Just checking the poll. If I wished to add Arabesques Anton Shammas to the mix, would I copy and add the link as the above HTML?

or enter it as full link?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

or just enter the title in English--Arabesques?

Not sure Sam. Still learning. I added one but it didn't let me pick a link.

Sam, try the link? I had to edit the poll in order to add the Angus Wilson one that's now in there.

Michael wrote: "Sam, try the link? I had to edit the poll in order to add the Angus Wilson one that's now in there."

I tried by adding the link and it didn't work the way I hoped. The link even defaulted to a different edition than I was trying to link. I think the three books you already had up are solid choices and I would read any of them so I added my vote for one of them but cannot delete the link I added. Feel free to do so if you wish a bit more decorum. I thought you had previous moderator rights, but if not, I agree that is probably contributing to the problem. I think it would be polite and appropiate to ask a moderator if they mind us using the group to continue discussions of NYRB books, especially when NYRB books is one of the moderators. Perhaps one of moderators might even come back and coax things along. I know Trevor from his efforts with Mookse and Gripes on Goodreads and elsewhere. I am sure he'd respond if you sent him an email and even if he hadn't the time to come back as a moderator, perhaps he could add some guidance.

I went to the page of two of the moderators (NYRB being one) and there is no message option. Maybe I'm missing it?

Trevor to the rescue! Thanks!

You bet! I think you are able to do the things I just did (maybe not, but I think), so it's just a matter of having fiddled with this all in the past. I am very very happy to assist in any way I can. When the winning book is announced, I can change the group header to include it and make it what the book is "currently reading." Those I think only a moderator can do.

I will echo my thanks to Trevor as well. BTW, the choices are all very interesting books. I had added Arabesques for its topical interest since it was supposedly the 1st novel written in Hebrew by a Palestinian. It did quite well when published. Butcher's Crossing has the tie-in to the film soon tk be released. Williams also seems to be a favorite of the Goodreaders. I am rereading Stoner for two other groups I am in. Life with Picasso has a sad note since Françoise Gilot passed a few months ago. Sorry, the site prevents linking the obituary.
And Anglo-Saxon Attitudes seems to be a marmite choice which usually prompts great discussions.

I selected Anglo-Saxon Attitudes over Arabesques because I prefer humor at this stressful time of the year and my life is already fraught with political agendas, gamesmanship, rancor, and bullheadedness—I don't need more in my reading.

Donna wrote: "I selected Anglo-Saxon Attitudes over Arabesques because I prefer humor at this stressful time of the year and my life is already fraught with political agendas, gamesmanship, rancor, and bullheade..."

That sounds like sound reasoning to me. I voted for Anglo-Saxon Attitudes myself.

Great! Nice to not feel alone in the seasonal brouhaha. 😏

This'll be fun! I can't promise I'm the most analytical reader, but I will read what the group chooses and will do my best to add to the discussion!

Why does the poll say it closes on November 30th when it closed back on the 15th?

I don't think it closed on the 15th. Are people not able to vote? Diane, I'm new at this, but I'm pretty sure I set it to stop on the 30th. Let me see if I can remember how to do this.

OK Diane et al,
Somehow the poll ended 15 Nov, even though (I swear) I set it to 30 Nov.
So...I reset it to now end on 5 Dec. So whoever didn't get to vote, you have till the 5th.

Uh-oh, we got a tie people! Who hasn't voted yet? Tie-breaker!

I was going to suggest a group notification post highlighting the poll and inquiring about their interest. I held back since I felt this might add a few too many cooks and prove discouraging rather than encouraging. On the next poll, I suggest we send a group notification for the vote.
On this month's selection if no more votes are cast, I suggest letting Trevor cast the deciding vote. Even if he isn't participating in the read, he will probably have read or have a good knowledge of the tied books and will be a good neutral arbiter.

Oh man, that’s a lot of responsibility!

I have read one and not the other, so I will cast a vote and happily read along :-)

If both have about the same number of votes we could read both.

Looks like Anglo-Saxon Attitudes won!

Trevor, can you work your magic on the main page? We start reading now but no discussion till 1 January. Is that enough time for everyone this holiday season?

I sure will!

The group masthead has changed, and the book's discussion page has been moved to the Book Club folder here.