Coordinating reading books in groups

[Sarah]

I'm still trying to survive Red Mars. I don't like it so far. Actually, it's annoying.

[Sandi]

I waited to read Red Mars until I could read it as part of the altgroup read, then when I did, my computer slipped into a coma. So I suffered through that book. It could use a massive influx of personality and a massive reduction in preachiness. The first half of the book is a slog, the last third of the story does manage to move a bit faster. Even though the book is populated with a lot of people, I had a hard time really caring much about any of them. My computer finally recovered from its coma - the book needed more aggressive resuscitation but I managed to finish it.

[Valerie]

Red Mars was not on my list, but I figured what the heck. There are two people ahead of me on the library loan list.

I have finished The Martian Chronicles and since I was digging on Bradbury, I went ahead and started Fahrenheit 451.

I read Ready Player One toward the end of last year.

Feeling good about my progress.

[Edwin]

Valerie wrote: "I read Ready Player One toward the end of last year"

I got the Kindle version of Ready Player One on sale last year. After listening to the audiobook version of Fuzzy Nation narrated by Wil Wheaton which was just SO good, I began to agitate about getting his audiobook version of Ready Player One. So I finally just broke down and downloaded it, and boy am I glad I did. It is a joy to listen to and I am looking forward to our group discussions. Game on.

[Sarah]

I debated bit I don't listen to audio enough to actually get through it in time. It would take me at least a month. I should check for Whispersync on my kindle. Then I could do a bit at least.

[Maggie]

somehow I managed to purchase both the Nook and paperback versions of RP1, sometimes my brain just stymies me. Anyway, I have a nice book to give as a present now! lol

[M.L.]

I loved Ready Player One.

[Maggie]

Wanted to have the list on this page!

(reader count), title, (page count), reading start date:
(9) The Handmaid's Tale - (311pp) - January 15
(11) Fuzzy Nation - (303pp) - February 15
(6) Red Mars - (572pp) - February 15
(10) Ready Player One - (374pp) - March 15
(5) The Martian Chronicles - (182pp) - March 15
(8) Neuromancer - (271pp) - April 15
(4) Zodiac- (308pp)- April 15
(5) Fahrenheit 451 - (227pp) - April 15
(6) The Dispossessed - (387pp) - May 15
(4) The Long Earth - (336pp) - May 15
(6) The City & the City - (312pp) - June 15
(5) Tigana - (676pp) - June 15
(7) Altered Carbon - (526pp) - July 15
(5) Promise of Blood - (545pp) - July 15
(7) American Gods - (656pp) - August 15
(7) 1Q84 - (925pp) - September 15
(4) Dawn - (248pp) - September 15
(6) Old Man's War - (314pp) - October 15
(6) The Word for World is Forest - (189pp) - October 15
(4) World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War - (342pp) - November 15
(4) Warbreaker - (688pp) - November 15
(6) Foundation - (256pp) - December 15
(5) The Snow Queen - (448pp) - December 15

[Valerie]

Thanks for reposting the list. I have 8/23 read. I feel good about my progress.

[Michael]

Valerie wrote: "Thanks for reposting the list. I have 8/23 read. I feel good about my progress."

Yes, thank you Maggie! I can't believe two months have gone by already. What a busy year!

[Michael]

On the main Challenge thread, Flash Beagle posted this:

Flash Beagle wrote: "Hey Michael, just a thought here, how about putting the group read calendar (with links to discussion) as a separate thread under the main group challenge topic. Calendar only, with links, no discussion, locked so only you can add."

I am initially hesitant because I would still want to post it to each page of this "coordinating reads" thread. My thinking is that this is the thread people get pinged on, and so when they are checking on what book is being announced for this month they can easily go to the top of the thread.

Having the links to discussions in the same place as the calendar appeals to me, though. It does seem hard to search through the thread if you are coming in a few days after the post and looking for the discussion links.

Do other folks have thoughts on this? I thought I would ask on this thread where all the participants are hovering...

[Michael]

Oh, and there is still time to make comments on our Feb 15 books before we start reading the next batch on March 15. I posted Fuzzy Nation and Red Mars discussion links back here.

[Edwin]

Michael wrote: "Having the links to discussions in the same place as the calendar appeals to me, though. It does seem hard to search through the thread if you are coming in a few days after the post and looking for the discussion links."

Michael, I agree completely with you that we should probably try to keep the calendar and the discussion links all in one place. The problem is indeed that this discussion thread is getting more cumbersome and it is harder to find the calendar and the relevant links to the book discussions.

Not to make things more complicated, but would it be worthwhile creating a new “Coordinating-reading-books-in-groups 2015” discussion thread? We could have and keep the calendar as the first post and then update it, perhaps along with the pertinent book discussion links, as the year progresses. I never made it past discussion threads 101, but if we did this, might there be a way to transfer the existing posts for 2015 from here to the new one?

And also, if we continue this program again next year, we could then start a new thread for 2016 with the same format.

[Valerie]

I have to agree that the thread gets so long it is tough to see the calendar and some people might find it a pain to scroll back through. Having a specific topic locked so others cannot comment on it would alleviate this issue.

The calendar part is not really an issue for me because I entered the schedule into my dorky spreadsheet at the start of the year.

However, it would be nice to not have to scroll through many comments to find the discussion links.

[Sarah]

I pretty much agree. I tried to find the Red Mars link and really struggled. It was a bit ridiculous actually, scrolling through page after page trying to find it. We talk a lot ;)

I kind of like the idea of a separate locked calendar. I've also transferred the list to a notepad on my phone but I can see where it would be really easy for new members. It would be extra visibility as well as being more simple.

I also like Edwin's idea of a new thread. Is anybody trying to view this thing on their phone? It takes a long time to scroll to the bottom. Another couple of months and it will be faster to boot up my computer than it is to scroll. And then when I accidentally tip my phone over and I have to start over I nearly burst into tears.

[Michael]

So it sounds like we could solve two problems by creating a new thread with the calendar as the first post.

We'd just have to make sure everyone who is following this one starts following the new one. (That's always front in my mind: in the internet age it is all about your subscribers! The follower list is our most valuable commodity...)

And Edwin, in my discussion threads 201 course ;) they never told us any way to transfer thread content or split threads at a certain point to separate by year. Maybe Goodreads' tech support knows but that sounds like moderator jurisdiction.

Speaking of which, I think only moderators can freeze thread topics. But I don't think I need to worry about freezing if we just put the calendar at the top of a new active thread. Then anyone can get to the calendar by clicking the topic.

I can't imagine doing all this on a phone, though I suppose a lot of people (most?) do that. I need to see the big picture (and am lucky I am near computers most of the day). I will be sad if the new age of phone posting means we have a lot of five word discussion posts. (Doesn't seem like it in this group, at least - I'm actually impressed, Sarah, if you are posting everything by phone!)

Also, please note that I try to link to the exact messages when I put links in my posts. That way if you click on a link it goes right to that message and no need for scrolling.

Like this: Maggie's latest calendar post

I'm assuming that for people on phones it works correctly?

[Sarah]

This is why I sometimes have weird typos. :) Since the goodreads app update a couple of months ago, links sometimes work on my phone and sometimes don't. There's no rhyme or reason and it's not the whole thread that's affected. This time Maggie's post didn't work but if I refreshed once or twice it probably would. Or I could turn my computer on! It just takes about 5 minutes to boot up so I avoid it. A new thread would be a huge help.

[Maggie]

this thread was actually started for last years challenge, so a new thread for 2015 is not out of line at all!

[Richard]

Michael, I am once again fighting illness, this time my own. I still believe I can finish and review Red Mars by the deadline. Ready Player One and The Martian Chronicles are in place to start on 3/15.

[Michael]

Richard wrote: "Michael, I am once again fighting illness, this time my own. I still believe I can finish and review Red Mars by the deadline. Ready Player One and [book:The Martian Chr..."

Thanks for the update, Richard! Sorry you are ill.

[Michael]

Maggie wrote: "this thread was actually started for last years challenge, so a new thread for 2015 is not out of line at all!"

Done and done.

Please pack your bags, make sure all your belongings are secured properly, and move yourself to this discussion's brand new home: 2015 Group Challenge Reading Calendar/Planning

I realize there may be a period of transition, so... hope to see you over there soon!