Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
Archives
>
Book of the Month Introduction
Laura are we supposed to post suggestions in this post?
I really enjoyed participating in the group read, even if I didn't particularly enjoy the book. I'm hoping to join in more of them, depending on if I have time in those months, so I'll try and participate in as many as possible.
Mod
- Did you enjoy having a group book?
- Were the questions posted at an appropriate time?
- Did you like the discussion questions?
- Do you have any general suggestions for improvement?
The mods will definitely take any feedback into consideration when planning the next round :)
- Did you enjoy having a group book?Yup! It was fun to see some of my timeline reading the same book as me and to see different opinions when the story is fresh in my mind :)
- Were the questions posted at an appropriate time?
I think it would be better to post all of them before starting but as the mods read the book with the group, it was complicated.
- Did you like the discussion questions?
Some more than others but overall they were interesting.
- Do you have any general suggestions for improvement?
For me it was fine like this, the books that entered the poll were all interesting/accessible (for people not into the genre) and I hope it will be the same for the next round.
My copy of the book only just arrived from the library so I missed the boat on this one.
Did you enjoy having a group book?Although I would have been fine if there hadn't been a group book, I did find it pretty fun to have one. I also liked that the category is pretty broad, so the book could have fit into many different prompts for different people. The other group that I'm part of for PopSugar is doing a book of the month, but kind of the opposite way. They are choosing one specific prompt per month, and you can choose whatever book you want. I'm still on the fence about which style I like better.
Were the questions posted at an appropriate time?
I agree with Zaz, I would have preferred if all of the questions were up beforehand but I can understand why that wasn't possible. In general, the pace was pretty good since the questions were posted within a day or two of me finishing the section they addressed.
Did you like the discussion questions?
I liked most of them, although I personally wasn't a fan of the questions about which actors I would pick if I was casting each character. But that's just because I don't really know too many current actors off the top of my head, and because I don't usually think of characters that way.
Do you have any general suggestions for improvement?
Maybe a little more clarity about whether spoilers are allowed in the discussion, providing it only spoils things in the current section being addressed. I tended to assume that people were looking at the thread when they had finished the quarter of the book, and there were quite a few times where I wanted to post specific events that happened in response to some of the questions. I noticed that most other people were keeping their responses pretty vague, so out of conformity more than anything, I did the same.
Did you enjoy having a group book?I really did! I liked the fact that I found myself reading the same book as a lot of other members at the same time and thought it made for good discussions. I also liked that it made me feel even more included in something, if that makes sense.
Were the questions posted at an appropriate time?
For me they were, but I'm a fairly slow/average reader so they all went up before I got to each part so maybe they weren't great for very fast readers.
Did you like the discussion questions?
Yes. I thought the questions chosen were great and I liked that there seemed to be a bit of variety among the questions. I felt like they were all well thought out and relevant questions. I enjoyed the casting question but I'm a big movie/TV buff and I generally quite enjoy casting books in my head while I'm reading them or after I finish them. Maybe it would've been better to leave the casting question until the end, once people would've finished the book as that may have made it slightly easier for people to choose.
Do you have any general suggestions for improvement?
None that I can think of. I enjoyed it and I thought that the organisers did a great job with everything. I agree with Zaz, in that I thought the selection of books in the poll were all great because they all seemed interesting/accessible for people that may not be very into the genre. I also hope that continues in the other polls and the other genres chosen.
Mod
Rachel, we posted the spoiler alert in the discussion title to be safe but you can definitely post spoilers in the discussion. Just make sure it's a spoiler for that part of the book and not for later events. (for future reference)
Thanks, Laura. That's what I originally thought but I started second-guessing when I saw that everyone else was being so careful not to reveal anything, even from the section currently being discussed.
Did you enjoy having a group book?Yeah, I did. I liked that there were a lot of people to talk about one book at around the same time and read different opinions about it. It was fun.
Were the questions posted at an appropriate time?
I think all parts of the book should be available for discussion on at least the second day of the month. I know it's going to be hard to have really specific question for each part of the book if the mod hasn't read the book yet (or read it a loooong time ago), but maybe general questions will work.
Did you like the discussion questions?
Yeah. I liked the casting part.
Do you have any general suggestions for improvement?
See my answer to the 2nd question. Plus, maybe to make it even more interactive, each person will post their own question (in addition to the given questions) and the person below them answers it and posts their own question and so on.
- Did you enjoy having a group book?Definitely ! I enjoy reading other people's opinion as i'm reading the same chapters as them. I love to share my thoughts as I read so it was really cool.
- Were the questions posted at an appropriate time?
Yes definitely, i read the book slowly at first and then finished it way too quickly so i skipped some parts.
- Did you like the discussion questions?
Yes definitely, it helped organize my opinion and they were perfect for each parts, to show what was important.
- Do you have any general suggestions for improvement?
Nope, i'm just eager to read the next one !
I was thinking about this too, and I agree with Elizabeth. I liked the discussion questions, but at the same time I think it almost discouraged us from really talking to each other. From what I saw, everyone posted their own responses which was great, but we didn't really respond to each other directly.
We could maybe do something like TPBM, where one answers one or more questions listed above and ask another question to continue the discussion.
I loved reading a mystery with the group this month. It was so much fun reading people's predictions as we moved through the story.
It was definitely a great format for a murder mystery! I was late to read it, but I really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts as I went along.
Ugh, I am remembering why I don't usually do reading groups. I feel like my answers to the questions are either repetitive or just completely way off base and stupid. And I can't think of a new question to ask so I just deleted the whole thing. I'm going to finish the book but I'm not going to attempt anymore questions. Too stressful. :-(
Amy wrote: "Ugh, I am remembering why I don't usually do reading groups. I feel like my answers to the questions are either repetitive or just completely way off base and stupid. And I can't think of a new que..."Aww I'm sorry to hear that Amy! I'm sure it's safe to say that everyone would love to read your thoughts on the books. I've participated in all of the book of the month choices this year and everyone has been very nice and respectful to one another. I hope you change your mind for future book discussions!
Mod
But in the end, if you just answer the questions provided and leave the 5th question blank then the next person can just pick a question from above. That's why I included that in the intro.
Don't feel stressed though! You don't even have to answer questions period. If you want to check in with general thoughts then, by all means, feel free. We really just want there to be discussion on the book.
Hey, I was wondering about the percentages. Would it be clearer to define chapters? I've just started The Graveyard Book and conveniently it consists of eight chapters, so I'm thinking two chapters at a time would be logical?
Aglaea wrote: "Hey, I was wondering about the percentages. Would it be clearer to define chapters? I've just started The Graveyard Book and conveniently it consists of eight chapters, so I'm thinking two chapters..."I just calculate the percentages into page numbers, and answer the questions for each quarter. It's a bit wierd, because it's in the middle of a chapter, during a new "scene", and you have to decide which part it belongs to. So far I have decided that they belong to the quarter they are finished in.
Aglaea, both can work. If I remember well, Laura gave the chapters for one of the BotM (and I spoiled myself as I didn't notice this and stopped at my %). It's propably better to work with chapters, but people need to remember when to stop. I think we'll do a feedback at the end of the year to see what to change and what to keep :)
Either work for me! As I read on kindle it tells me %.
Yes I use percentage too. I don't think it can be THAT far off from the page count, can it?
My problem is that I use OverDrive quite often. I keep the iPad in landscape format woth two pages/columns open, like a pocket book. This screws up the page count completely for some reason, because something supposedly 200 pages becomes approximately 100, only then it also depends on the letter size and margin widths.Whenever I see a book entered into the database here with zero pages, I guess it was an ebook, because OverDrive is notorious at this point for not informing a page number. And since they don't work with percentages, it is a hassle.
So the solution for me is to calculate manually what the percentage is, when updating my book status (yes...). Which means if I need to count backwards a percentage, I can't use the extra stuff such as acknowledgement pages, sneak-peek chapters etc. to end up in the wrong place in relation to our percentage point. Because the total number of pages obviously varies from edition to edition.
Yes, I make mountains out if molehills, but I looove precision, sorry :D
I much prefer the kindle app over Overdrive. The percentages are more accurate and the functionality is better for me. The newest feature, which allows you to flip through a bunch of pages to find a glossary, a map or a paragraph to reread and then pop right back to where you left off, is amazing! I use that so much more than I thought I would. I have never been fond of the overdrive app at all. And now the new Overdrive online library set-up is so frustrating, I could just scream. They have completely complicated the sign-in process for those of us who use several libraries and half the search functionality we had before, is gone. I am so unhappy with Overdrive right now. :-(
Amy, that sounds like a huge nuisance. I have only my local library on OverDrive, so the login is saved in the app. It does load rather slowly, the search function is rudimentary at best, and someone can't seem to tag books properly either but they end up in completely incorrect categories, but I love love love the fact that it is so easy to check out books, new books as well!I could never buy them all, and while the Kindle app has sorting functions to create collections, I still find it rather undeveloped for a more serious reader, who reads in several genres. The percentage stuff rocks my socks off, though, but I find accessing notes very tedious, if you underline like in textbooks.
I bought The Lies of Locke Lamora today! As soon as i finish the three library books i have going, i will start the December book of the month reading. Is anyone else ready?
Shanna wrote: "I just had to return it to the library. Hopefully i can get it again...."Was it a hardcopy or an ebook? We do have two months to read the book so an ebook should make it back around in plenty of time. A hardcover, I'm always worried that someone will "forget" to return it for weeks....months....years....argh! Good luck!
You are lucky that your library had it at all, mine did not hence the reason I am now $1.99US poorer today! :-)
For the next batch of questions for Locke, help is welcome if you already read the book or just reached the 50% mark :)
Sorry, I am a dolt-- WHAT book is being read this month??
Zaz wrote: "For the next batch of questions for Locke, help is welcome if you already read the book or just reached the 50% mark I am sending some discussion questions to you shortly. Just have to type them out :-)
You can post them directly Amy (I don't want to spoil myself :p), just follow the usual format :)
Is this still going on? Perhaps I am in the wrong thread to find July's read?
Jennifer Lynn wrote: "Is this still going on? Perhaps I am in the wrong thread to find July's read?"There is not book of the month in July, but we will have one in August (Retelling). By the way, when does start the suggestions for August reading?
Book of the Month is still going on. I just posted the suggestions thread for August.https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Mod
I know the BOTM hasn't been hugely popular so if there is something that would make you more likely to participate then I would love to hear it!
Laura wrote: "If anyone has suggestions for the book of the month process, including the genres they would like to have for 2017, now is the time to share them! I know the BOTM hasn't been hugely popular so if..."
I love the BOTM! Please keep it going!
Mod
I think someone mentioned once having the book of the month coincide with one of that month's challenge topics? That way people don't feel that they are reading more than 52 books or reading out of order too much. Is this still a possibility?
Mod
Maybe make the theme be the four weeks of the challenge that would be covered that month. So suggestions could be any book that counts for those weeks (i.e. January would be weeks 1-4).
Do we want to continue having the books every other month?
Yes, that was how I was picturing it. I think every other month is easiest on the mods. I also like every other month because I can't give myself the out of thinking I can skip this month and just join in next month. Having two months to do the reading and not having another BOM immediately pending encourages me to participate without pressuring me. Does that make sense?One other suggestion I would like to make is that books shouldn't be new, as in late 2017/2018 releases. I honestly don't remember if this was an issue ever this year but books that new are hard to get at a library and can be expensive to purchase. They are also nearly impossible to find in the used book store. I'm thinking books over a year old give more people a chance to participate. Hopefully at least.
°~Amy~° wrote: "Yes, that was how I was picturing it. I think every other month is easiest on the mods. I also like every other month because I can't give myself the out of thinking I can skip this month and just ..."I agree that it’s easier to participate every other month. If I end up too busy in the month the book is picked, I know I can catch up the next month. I also think it would be interesting to nominate books that relate to the challenge topics. I’m sure the nominations would be very different from one another each month.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
84, Charing Cross Road (other topics)The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (other topics)
To All the Boys I've Loved Before (other topics)
The Hate U Give (other topics)
Sing, Unburied, Sing (other topics)
More...
What is a "book of the month"?
The book of the month (BOTM) is simply a single book that everyone in the group strives to read during that time. Mods are asking members to volunteer to post discussion questions for portions of the book. This will allow for a ton of discussion about our set BOTM.
Another book to read? I already struggle with the weekly book for the challenge!
We know that everyone has different schedules, reading speeds, book preferences, etc. So we will have a new book every two months.
How will the books be chosen?
Members will be given the opportunity to make suggestions for the book and then these will be voted on as a group poll.
So I can suggest any book?
Yes! Almost. Each selection will have a theme. If a book from your personal 2019 RC fits into that theme then feel free to suggest it. Then you won't even have to read extra books. This year we're trying something new. Instead of genres, the theme for each selection will be a challenge prompt that falls under that month.
Okay, then what are these themes?
February: Dual Timeline
April:
June:
August:
October:
December:
In 2018, we had:
February: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
April: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
June: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
August: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
October: Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
December: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
In 2017, we had:
February: Historical fiction - Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
April: Children's book - The Witches by Roald Dahl, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
June: Steampunk - Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
August: Retelling - Heartless by Marissa Meyer
October: Thriller - Final Girls by Riley Sager
December: Short story - A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury
In 2016, we had:
February: Romance - Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
April: Mystery - The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
June: Science Fiction - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
August: Young Adult - The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
October: Horror - The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
December: Fantasy - The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Stay tuned for a thread devoted to the first round of suggestions!