EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion
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[ARCHIVES] BOTM SUGGESTIONS
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BOTM Feedback - Catch-Up Month or category?
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I like the idea of a third book of the month so that people who were around when the book was originally picked don't have to "take a month off." And I say this as a new member: I'd love to "catch up" on what you all have already read. So I'm thoroughly on board with option 1.
Option 2 seems to be not all that attractive, for catchuppers would have to wait one year to catch up. And, like Abigail said, there'd be a idle month for the others.I'll be back later with other thoughts, but may be 1 and 3 could exist simultaneously.
Mod
I'll be back later with other..."
I like that idea too. Just brainstorming how to make the buddy read thing more formal.
I think option one sounds good! That way, people still have options on what to read and those who don't want to participate in a re-read still have something new to pick from.
I like option 1 the most it sounds perfect to me!
I also feel that Option 1 is the best, to accommodate the most members. I think, being a middle of the road newish member, I would utilize this option.
I like option 1, but agree with Marco that 1 & 3 could both exist.One of my other groups has both. They do a "Revisit the shelf" read every month based on nominations & votes, but there are also a lot of buddy reads in case there's something only a handful of people want to read or reread. It seems to work well.
I think 1 and 3 would work together, and give people more options. Personally I'd use option 1, I'm not a fan of 'buddy reads' because of how I read ( which I'd describe as structured unstructured and fast with pauses!)
I would prefer option 2 actually, which people were more interested in when we chatted in the suggestion box originally. I struggle to read two books per month and would love to revisit some of the titles I haven't got around to. The only feasible way to do that would be to replace the BOTM- not add a third option in or I would never get around to it.Just my two cents.
I'm with Leesa, just because I have a lot of catching up to do, but I can understand others want for option 1 as well.
Because we typically name two books each month, how would it be to use Option 2 for one of the two but vote on the second book? We could vote (or alternate from year to year) on whether we skip the Modern or Classic.I've missed a lot of books--because I've read them before or I'm not as interested--but the answer for me would not be to add a third book (Opt.1). And Opt.3 would be difficult for me because I read slower than most folks.
Please not Option 2. There's no obligation to read anything, so missing a chance, or having to use your time for a catch-up Side Read (as in option 1 or 3), is your choice.
But if you take a month away for a catch-up read, as in O.2, those of us who *are* as caught-up as we want to be are effectively *forced* to take a month off.
I like the option of a third book. Especially if we have read the books chosen, we could go back and read one that we missed.
I'd go for option 1 and 3. With option 3 you can also look for a buddy to read a book that the club hasn't read before.
I like options 1 and 3, and here's why I think you would be well-served to incorporate them both.Some people may not be interested in the primary and alternative pick for the month. Having that third choice increases the chance they'll at least choose something and participate in the group with the knowledge that it's been approved and accepted previously.
I'm new to the buddy reading experience, and I will say this: it's instrumental in motivating me to start, and more importantly finish, books.
I would think that having a more formal area for this to take place can only benefit group cohesion and retention. The more your members connect with each other, the more likely they are to bring in friends and feel part of a community.
My 2 cents.
Mod
Sounds like we have more support for options 1 and 3. So I'm thinking a few things....
a) Let's do a trial run of option 1. I'll open a discussion thread similar to other BOTM suggestion threads and we'll start a formal "bookshelf re-read" category. We can try it for a few months and see how it goes... if it's not working, we can switch things up.
b) For those in favor of option 2... trust me I'm in the same boat in that I've missed a bunch of group reads I can't seem to catch up on. Maybe we do a freebie month as a one-off in the future? Or maybe pick one category to do it as opposed to both at the same time? Also sometimes the group ends up reading books I've already read so I consider that a freebie month but maybe others feel differently...
c) For buddy reads, still taking ideas. How can we make this more formal? Maybe people can comment on a common thread letting others know they're revisiting a book club book outside of the monthly reads and ask others to join. We can set up a formal schedule somehow if 2+ people are reading the same book?
d) Keeping this discussion open to continue to hear your thoughts/ideas/reactions to trying option 1. Continue to let me know what you guys think!!!
Love option 1, I was one of those who entered recently at the group and some books suggested I haven't even heard of. I know there will be many books I'll miss or have to catch up some other time (real life seems to be medling everyday), but the group keeps me stimulated and the suggestions give me future ideas on what to read. Really like to belong to this group, Kasey you have the best intentions and you warm up this place. Everyone else is friendly and supportive, you've kept me company in this cloudy couple of months.
Mod
I agree with Mariana's comments. You do a great job of supporting this group, Kasey, and I appreciate the way you listen to ideas and encourage others to give feedback.
Mod
For the new monthly catch-up category, considering a few things...
going forward, should there be a restriction on which books can be "re-read" as a group? We're thinking that books read within the last 12 months (whether for this category or the two main monthly categories) should be excluded from nomination. That way, we're not reading a book more than once in a given 12-month period.
Thoughts? concerns? Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I don't think I'm bothered by length of time- it will sort itself out in polls anyway based on how many people want to read it that haven't already. Shouldn't really matter when it was originally read...
Mod
Right now though, the group bookshelf isn't all that big since this group hasn't been around for all that long. It would limit options significantly right now. "
Some thoughts. I agree with Leesa. If people want to read a book, nominate and vote for that one, why not?
Also, sometimes we get new members in more quantity. There was a time the numbers were huge. So, if newcomers are attracted by this or that book, why make them wait?
Now that you've said, Kasey, that you'll just use the original discussion threads, I retract my suggestion to make new readers wait to catch up on a group book. The situation will be more like ongoing discussions, almost, in the case of recently read books, and that's ok. Imo.
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Before taking BOTM suggestions for November, wanted to run something by the group. Since this is a "catch-up" group, we've been discussing ways that new and old members can continue to catch-up to what the group has already read.
So far, we've come up with:
1) Adding a third book-of-the-month called "Bookshelf Catch-Up": in addition to a classic read and modern best-seller read, we could add a third BOTM dedicated to re-reading something already on the club's bookshelf. Any book previously read is eligible.
2) Designating one month each year to be the "Catch-Up" Month: in this case, we would NOT select any new BOTMs for November. Instead, it would be like a freebie month during which members would have time to read any book on the bookclub shelf and comment on existing threads, etc.
3) Buddy read Catch-Up: start a more formal system where people can comment letting other members know they are revisiting the bookshelf and reading books the group has previously read. That way, they can all discuss together. Would love some ideas on how to formalize this if this is something people are interested in.
Which would you prefer? Do you have a different idea?
Before opening November BOTM suggestions, wanted to get an answer on this in case we decide that we won't be selecting November BOTMs at all (per above).
Thank you all!!