Zombie Sausage: Let's Openly Discuss the BOTM Voting for Jan

[Jim]

Ian wrote: "I've been slamming busy at work and with some other stuff so I haven't been around much and haven't been able to participate in the BOTM. Since I knew I couldn't participate, I haven't been voting...."

Mod Note: Representative poll has been added for group decision.

[Thia]

I haven't voted if I didn't intend to participate because it seemed rude. That said I would not want polls to be public because I do not wish to be harassed about my vote.

I usually only have time for audiobooks but will participate when one is available or if the book looks worthy of carving out some old fashioned reading time.

I also think more people would participate if some of the discussions in this group were a little less toxic. It can be intimidating to new members or just unpleasant enough to make them go elsewhere or lurk. I get the summary of discussion updates on my phone, see a thread I'm interested in, then go read the comments and often back right back out. Oy vey, life is too short. Most people here seem very nice but it doesn't take much hostility or rudeness to be a pretty big turn off to participation. Just my .02

[Lana]

*Standing ovation for Thia*
I was just about to post something similar though it would not have been so perfectly worded.

I sort of thought this was supposed to be fun...at least until the zombies really do arrive. I obviously don't understand the seriousness of the BOTM. This is all making it seem far too much like real work and I wouldn't even begin to vote in a poll or try to participate now because it seems like its supposed to be a bigger commitment than most marriages, and life just does have a way of getting in the way.

[Randy]

I think I prefer the buddy reads to the BOTM. Just pick a book you haven't read and see if others are interested in reading it.

[Tammy K.]

Thia wrote: "I haven't voted if I didn't intend to participate because it seemed rude. That said I would not want polls to be public because I do not wish to be harassed about my vote.

I usually only have tim...


Oy vey, life is too short. Most people here seem very nice but it doesn't take much hostility or rudeness to be a pretty big turn off to participation. Just my .02"


I agree with much of this.
As a new member, I hope that you were welcomed into the group properly.
However, I have found that as in all groups there are individuals whom will not blend personality wise.
That is also the way that it is in real life.
It takes courage to step forward and introduce yourself, and get your ideas out there.
Believe it or not it takes courage to continue to show up and put your ideas out there as well.
Let's just be honest with each other, We are not all going to become the best buddies here (or in real life)
New and Old members do have an awkward dance in the beginning and sometimes that dance leads to more than a few toe stepping.
I can not tell you how many NEW and OLD members alike that are on my block (aka ignore) list, but I have been adding to it over my years at goodreads.
It is to be expected that some members will not fit well with others (which is why Goodreads website had the ignore function eh?)
Anyway
The idea behind a group read is just that... a Group read.
I am pleased to know that you agree, that voting and then not showing up for a discussion is so totally uncool.
We have had that in so many BOTM's, even some of the ones that have occurred since you and the Lana have started to show, so it would figure that you are both aware of the problem.
Yes, This is not a marriage contract that we are talking about here. :-)
Just an issue of common courtesy. Well, apparently it isn't that common ;-)

I still state that an OPEN PUBLIC Poll would solve most of the issues with possible vote stacking, possible fraudulent accounts (AKA Multiple accounts from the same user), and holding others to the same principles that you both agreed where fair here in this thread.

I encourage all members to voice yourself in the new polls which are located at the very bottom of the poll thread.

Let's make the BOTM's voting (and participation) clear.

[Netanella]

Lana, Thia - I heartily agree with you!

The only thing toxic should be those barrels of radioactive zombie parts locked up in some forgotten basement somewhere. Our shared bookreads should be because of a shared loved of the genre, and interacting with other people. If the groupread becomes tedious or nasty or even seems like work, then no doubt many readers will not want to join.

I plan on participating in the next BOTM and hope others of like mind will join. Personally, I'm tired of the drama and don't really care. I just want to read some books - good or bad - and discuss them with other people who are interested in the same books.

And truthfully, I don't really care one way or another about what book is eventually chosen. I'll usually read it. I don't take it personally and I usually participate. And I hope, as Rodney Dangerfield did, that we can all just get along.

Wanna join me in a zombie reading challenge? ;)

[Teresa]

Holy s$!*!!! I JUST found this thread. Can we say CRAY-CRAY??? Whoa...I'm just glad this was during my 'sabbatical' from the group! ;-)

~Teresa~