Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy discussion
General SF&F Chat
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Why don't you vote? Or discuss?
While I both recommended & voted in the latest poll, I don't sometimes for a variety of reasons. I'm in a lot of other groups & sometimes busy with their reads. Other times I don't have the book & won't get it because my TBR pile is already overflowing. Or I can't find it as an audio book, the type I have the most time for. Other times I don't read because I'm a moody reader. I'm reading for pleasure & just don't feel like it.Discussions are tougher to call. Quite often, there just isn't much to say about a book. The Warlock in Spite of Himself was fun, but not exactly a deep book. WYSIWYG.
TANSTAAFL.Hehe, my acronym is longer than yours!
I'm positive that there are a lot of independently minded people in this group. I am certainly opinionated, but I have my own agenda. If the book being read isn't something I'm familiar with, I won't hop on my imaginary high horse to argue about it. Same goes for nominations - if it's something I know nothing about, I won't discuss it. Also, I usually have other things that I'm reading or would rather read when nominations come around. Cost efficiency, and familiarity play a part here for me. And of course, everyone's old friend, laziness. Can't lie, that one usually takes the cake.I realize it sounds narrow-minded, but I'm working on expanding my Sci-Fi/Fantasy bookshelves. You wouldn't believe how hard to find some titles (Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Leiber is pretty hard to find in bookshops used or not, and it's going for something around 50 bucks on Amazon haha). I know a lot about contemporary writers though!
I tend not to nominate or vote because I'm a member of a number of groups. I rarely feel strong enough about a book to "force" others to read it, when I may not get around to it myself.When the "The xxx group is reading yyyy..." messages come out, THAT is when I decide which books I MAY try to participate in. Because I see about 5 to 10 of those a month, I get more than I can find time to read -- I don't do much reading, and have rarely been able to keep up with group reads. Unless I really get into the book, and stay up into the wee hours of the morning to finish it. Which hasn't happened it a few months.
Plus, another genre has priority -- Zombies.
And, since I use a Kindle to read, I'm not willing to pay $10 or so for a book. I've got thousands of free books I've downloaded that I haven't gotten to yet.
Leo (Rahien Sorei) wrote: "You wouldn't believe how hard to find some titles (Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Leiber is pretty hard to find in bookshops used or not..."Get a Kindle!
I got the book on a daily offering in June for $1.99 for my Kindle. I see the series is available on the Kindle Unlimited plan. Since the books are $7.99 individually, it might be worth signing up for one month @ $9.99, read the series, then cancel the KU plan. :)
You could even use the Cloud Reader, which is free, to read books on the KU plan.
Tempting, especially if more classic titles like Fahfrd and the Grey Mouser are available, but I've been resisting the move to eReader - I like supporting my favorite authors by buying their books... And possibly fan girl ambushing them at cons haha
My answer is very simple, there just hasn't been anything that I have wanted to read so I haven't voted. ..Same go's for the discussions, when there is something I have read and have and or have an opinion about I will talk about it :).
Michele wrote: "TANSTAAFL.Hehe, my acronym is longer than yours!"
LOL!
I'm very new to the group (a week, tops), so I haven't had a chance to do a whole lot. That being said, I personally have a hard time reading while I'm writing - and as I'm currently working on the first draft of a story (which takes the longest, I've found) I won't get to read a lot of the books coming up, regardless if they interest me.Also, here is my general thought process on giving my opinion on a book/article/whatever else online:
"Do they really care what I think? Probably not - so why bother posting?"
More of an apathy thing, than from any bad experiences. It's kept me from feeding the trolls numerous times, though. ^_^
K.F. wrote: "Do they really care what I think? Probably not - so why bother posting?"The interesting thing about group reads is the varying perspectives everyone has after reading the same pages.
Although I have been accused of not knowing how to read correctly.
Randy wrote: "The interesting thing about group reads is the varying perspectives everyone has after reading the same pages."Very true - and it is very interesting to read through them. I just have a hard time actually posting. So I guess it's kind of hypocritical...now that I think about it...
I have a few reasons why I generally don't nominate books or vote for them:1. I can't read just any book at any time - I have to be in the mood for it even if it's one I have and plan to read later.
2. I don't want to nominate a book that no one seconds. It just feels like being told "Hey you, your book choices suck"
3. People in this group are highly intelligent readers but I'm just an average person who doesn't feel able to have discussions on the levels that I've seen them here. I know a lot of the more complex discussions are probably coming from authors but if it's at that level, people don't want to join in and feel stupid.
4. A lot of times, the book discussions afterwards are just a great place to discover the next book you want to read...depending on what people are saying about it of course, so there isn't anything to add.
That's it. My two cents worth
I always mean to comment... But then usually don't. I don't know why, really. I guess I'm more of a lurker. I do read many of the books, though. I really enjoy being part of this group and reading everyone's thoughts, even if I don't relay that very well through actual dialogue.
I am not always reading these books, or indeed any of the book club ones. I do read quite a lot but I read a variety and not always to a time scale. Sometimes it is simply a case of it has already been said.
I also access GR through their ipad app, which is sort of horrible. I can't link, I can't view spoilers. So the frustration from that limits my participation somewhat.
Rose wrote: "...People in this group are highly intelligent readers but I'm just an average person who doesn't feel able to have discussions on the levels that I've seen them here. I know a lot of the more complex discussions are probably coming from authors but if it's at that level, people don't want to join in and feel stupid...."Really? I don't think there are a lot of authors commenting here nor that their opinions are better than anyone else's. Different people get different things out of a book or should if it's a good book. Each resonates differently to each reader. I doubt anyone is going to think it's stupid. They're probably sitting at their computer nodding along with you, even if they don't comment & say you're right.
Hmm, I usually nominate something I've already read and enjoyed in the hopes that others will like it too, and I don't need to re read it for discussion, or something I have on my to-read list so I can knock one off that list. Just hoping the choices will be something you're interested in seems counterproductive in terms of a book group that asks for nominations. I see plenty of people update in the "what are you reading?" topic - nominate some of those.
I'm an average person and not an author. It's the average person who's opinions are important with books, IMO, since we are the ones they are written for :)
I agree, the app stinks for some things - I often write replies and then later I jump on the computer and edit to add links which is annoying.
I'm not trying to force anyone to comment. If you have nothing to say, that's cool. I just wonder sometimes if I'm shouting into an empty room. And I'm not THAT fond of the sound of my own voice.
But it seems like if even 1/10th of the members here joined in for nominations and discussions, we'd have wider choices and heartier discussions which would add to people's reading lists by creating interest. The more nominations the better. It's not forcing anyone to read your choice, it's just creating a buzz and adding variety.
Well, at least I got some responses here ;)
For me I am a member of about 8 groups - three of which I am not active on so do not vote or nominate unless there is a book I am going to be reading anyway or have already read.Of the remaining 5 groups 2 are literary fiction and 3 are sf/f. I read a mixture of graphic novels, short stories, plays, poems, sf/f, non fiction and literary fiction and I dont have time to read all of the books of the month and keep up my varied reading pallet. In any case not all will appeal to me.
Then between my variable health and baby raising duties/joys I might go weeks without being able to read or might be able to read a lot each day. I try to only nominate and vote where I will be able to participate in discussions and that can be a bit hard to predict. I vote for about half of the polls here.
Jim wrote: "Rose wrote: "...People in this group are highly intelligent readers but I'm just an average person who doesn't feel able to have discussions on the levels that I've seen them here. I know a lot of ..."Maybe it's just that I read more for the concepts than for the writing that I notice it. I can't usually tell one author's writing style from another and when I first joined I had to look up the word "prose" because I never heard of it before. When I was in school, the art of writing was never explained - grammar was the main focus, so I'm often baffled how so many people comment on the intricacies in the writing when I don't even notice it. I can tell you if I liked a book or not but I can't always explain why. I know there are a lot of people out there just like me and I'm sure I'm being paranoid just like they are. I'm just offering up a possible explanation why there may not be more nominations or commentaries.
Well said, Michele!Rose, you never had to read for "the deeper meaning"? Lucky! I used to get so sick of that. It's a koan; if I don't see it in the writing, is it really there? I decided it probably wasn't.
;)
My 1st and only discussion yet, I hated the book so much I was inhibited to talk [rant] about it -- um, at least first time you met me. But have two votes won in future. This thread might encourage people to chip in even if to say 'I liked/disliked.' That's participation, we don't have to deconstruct them. I know what people mean about the depth of posts, I've thought I can't equal that. I have nonexistent science and scrappy knowledge of sf. I've been encouraged by this thread not to let that stop me.
Michele wrote: " I usually nominate something I've already read and enjoyed in the hopes that others will like it too, and I don't need to re read it for discussion, or something I have on my to-read list so I can knock one off that list...."
I'm almost the opposite: I usually nominate something I haven't read but want to (thus "Lock In" next month), or occasionally in the Classic category something I really want to reread.
I like to have read the book for discussion immediately before or even during the discussion, so quotes and examples come readily to mind. I occasionally "discuss" a book I read in the past, but my comments would be necessarily more general as I'm working purely from memory and it would be a sign I didn't think highly enough of the book to read it again.
But occasionally means I nominate or vote for something I won't like (e.g. Equoid, which even though it won a Hugo this year I just didn't care for. So it goes. It's not the first story I've read but didn't like.)
I'm almost the opposite: I usually nominate something I haven't read but want to (thus "Lock In" next month), or occasionally in the Classic category something I really want to reread.
I like to have read the book for discussion immediately before or even during the discussion, so quotes and examples come readily to mind. I occasionally "discuss" a book I read in the past, but my comments would be necessarily more general as I'm working purely from memory and it would be a sign I didn't think highly enough of the book to read it again.
But occasionally means I nominate or vote for something I won't like (e.g. Equoid, which even though it won a Hugo this year I just didn't care for. So it goes. It's not the first story I've read but didn't like.)
Our book-to-discuss selection process is imperfect. Ideally we'd be searching for a consensus on a book we'd all be interested in reading, even if it might not be our individual first choice. But Goodreads polling tends to turn that into a competition, which isn't really the goal. (Ideally we'd rate each nominee as "I'd be interested in reading that"/"I wouldn't read that". Preferential polls have been requested on the Goodreads feedback group for years.)
I don't vote because usually I won't have a chance to read the books so I feel wrong to inflict my opinion on other people. I have foolishly acquired about 50 books to read on my kindle so have a massive and not very quickly reducing backlog. I think I may have to go on a "read 80 books around the world" holiday soon.
I do discuss stuff. Don't usually vote unless I actually already physically have the book.There might be 3200 members here, but probably less than a 100 (maybe less than 50) actually "active' ones.
I try to participate in at least one group read per month. I will usually vote except where none of the nominations grab me, or I can't pick and am willing to read any winner, or if I know I won't be able to read whatever wins.I will occasionally nominate when there's something I'm interested in that fits the category. More times than not, I just draw a blank however.
I generally will participate in the book discussions if I finish the book in good time. I can relate to the earlier points that sometimes the discussion seems much more advanced than my own thoughts. I'm not intimidated by this, in fact I quite enjoy the more in-depth analysis. Sometimes however it doesn't seem that there is much for me to add to that conversation. I'm a reader - I can talk about what I get from a book, but I don't have much to say about writing styles etc. I will say most emphatically, that while we clearly have some very bright people who make very deep comments, I have never felt any sense of exclusion or had any sense that any contribution is looked down upon. As a result, I continue to enjoy the threads and add my two cents when I can. (On a tangent, I decided to sign up for a Fantasy and Sci Fi MOOC https://www.coursera.org/course/fanta.... I haven't written anything non-technical in eons, so I am a little nervous, but maybe I will have more to contribute after this :))
Jim wrote: "Rose wrote: "...People in this group are highly intelligent readers but I'm just an average person who doesn't feel able to have discussions on the levels that I've seen them here. I know a lot of ..."I agree. Just read the reviews - people see so many different things in a book.
People have differing times to devote to social media, and some people are content to be lurkers. I find a lot of Good Reads users use the site as a catalogue for their own reading. They might not want to analyse a book, or not really know how.
Karen. I keep looking at that Coursera course, but I don't have the time at present to devote to it, as the reading criteria is quite heavy. I did the Historical Fiction one last year, which was great but I only managed to read about half the books. I'd be interested to know what you think. Perhaps next year I'll get time.
A.L. wrote: "Karen. I keep looking at that Coursera course, but I don't have the time at present to devote to it, as the reading criteria is quite heavy...."I'm a little worried myself as I am lecturing 4 courses this term one of which is a first time offering, plus there's a nasty, vicious rumor floating around about a thesis I am supposed to finish by December. I figure I will see how much reading I can get done in the month before it starts and make a final decision then. I am actually more nervous about the essays!
Yes, that is the problem I had. With the HF one I found I could skim read or get enough to pass with a decent score without needing everything
That Coursera class looks too good to pass up! But will I have the time? Ugh, decisions.
Michele wrote: "So it says this group has over 3200 members, but only 9 votes each for the two latest polls. And not many nominate stuff either.Are you indifferent to the choices? Are you enjoying the diversity ..."
There's just too much out there. A lot of times, I don't know the books selected and I'm reading something else entirely.
I only join groups for 1-reason... title suggestions.I have never been in a book club because I won't read with time constraints,and seldom would choose the titles chosen or want to read it at a specific time.
I also do not participate in book polls.
I'm guessing many readers feel the same.
We read for pleasure and do not want it to become 'a job'!
However, I do enjoy and often find the discussions helpful,and also participate. :]
Sometimes I don't vote in the polls because I just miss the timing, didn't realize there was a poll up. I will once an awhile discuss if I've had a chance to read it. Other times things have already been said and I just like browsing through comments.
In person I tend to be more a listener than a talker. I guess that carries over into my online life. I do comment occasionally, but lurk much more.I'm really surprised that only nine people voted! I didn't vote or nominate because I'm already committed to reading several other books (none of which fit the bill for heroic fantasy -- I seem to be on a YA dystopian kick at the moment) and didn't feel I should participate in the choosing of a book I know I don't have time to read.
I don't nominate because I honestly don't know what book the group would want to read. Maybe when I've broadened my SF/F knowledge I'll feel more confident, anyway for now I trust the judgement of others and I feel like we don't need 15 books nominated every months.I often vote on the polls (there is often at least one book I'd like to read that has been nominated) and usually I try to read along with the group. I'm really interested in reading Cyteen and Spring-heeled Jack, but I'm currently trying to finish series that I've already started (Mars trilogy, The first law, Hitchhiker's guide, and others) rather than start new series so unfortunately I won't be able to read them with the group. I'm sure I'll get around to reading them this year, though.
I read the postings about books, but more often than not I don't participate because I can't get the book at my rather limited library and I just don't have the money to buy books at the moment. So I add ones that sound interesting to my "someday to read" list and continue lurking.
I don't know that any of us rouse much enthusiasm with our nominations, Mika. We're a pretty independent-minded bunch & not many vote. Even the most popular probably get less than 1% of the votes.
I can't work out how to vote in polls: I use the app and have tried to vote and ended up in a loop where every time I got to the poll it no longer thought I was logged in. I'm not that invested to spend time debugging or a different device.
Yes, you have to be in a web browser to vote now, it's annoying.
Bristol wrote: "I can't work out how to vote in polls: I use the app and have tried to vote and ended up in a loop where every time I got to the poll it no longer thought I was logged in...."
Yeah, you can't vote with the mobile app, nor post a comment to a poll. You also can't see spoilers. images or book cover thumbnails in messages. It lacks a variety of other functions browser users take for granted.
The app is mostly useful for checking messages and making small responses on the go. I would like to think Goodreads sees mobile as an important part of the future (especially as people start reading e-books on phones and the readers.)
Yeah, you can't vote with the mobile app, nor post a comment to a poll. You also can't see spoilers. images or book cover thumbnails in messages. It lacks a variety of other functions browser users take for granted.
The app is mostly useful for checking messages and making small responses on the go. I would like to think Goodreads sees mobile as an important part of the future (especially as people start reading e-books on phones and the readers.)
I checked out the app - and was thinking about replying to a post with it, but I just got too frustrated. The tiny screen is really not that useful for reading what you've typed. Maybe It's just me, but I tend to go back and re-read what I've written, to hopefully catch any errors or possible misinterpretations tone-wise.I can only imagine that most people who access Goodreads through it wouldn't want to bother replying a lot of the time. I know I don't.
For myself, it's simply a lack of time. I used to read 3 books a week. Now I am lucky to read one a month. Half the time I even forgot to come and log in to Goodreads :-( I am hoping that as the kids get older I will get some more time back...
I don't vote because as an author I'm biased and would want to nominate my books, at least until they were the book of the month. Other polls and stuff I will happily vote in.
Michelle and G33z3rWell if there's a fair chunk of people using the app then it isn't surprising that there's a lack of participation. Its a fault of GR I think, not the community or its individual members.
Personally I prefer the app because when I'm reading a lot then I don't turn on the computer much, plus the barcode reading ability.
I mostly use GR with the app. I can add books quickly with the barcode, update my reading progress, and drop in on discussions. I really only use the Web version once a week. To look at new groups or enter giveaways.
I've been overwhelmed this summer with teaching and a writing project. These are winding down now so I can try to be more active.
I don't vote because I don't read anything on a schedule and polls don't interest me. I read whatever catches my attention and haven't any desire to read along with a group as an assignment. I've been out of school for a long time and reading is my relaxation, finding stories that speak to me. It's nothing personal, so I hope that doesn't offend anyone. I don't do "challenges" either. To me, that just sounds like a way to turn my relaxing time into a job.On the other hand, if I run across a discussion of a book that I've read and feel I have something to contribute to the discussion, I do join in. I joined this site to talk about books I like and pick other people's brains for book recommendations. I read fast, and I am boggled by the idea that some people take weeks to read one book. I can read most novels in a day. Some take as little as 4 hours. Being forced back into "classroom paced" reading like I had to do in high school would make me homicidal. :)
Besides, I have a real life and summer is winding down fast. I have a lot of maintenance projects to complete before the snow flies. I don't pop over to goodreads every day.
Are you indifferent to the choices? Are you enjoying the diversity of letting others choose? I'm just curious - I love to vote, whether it's for a favorite I hope others will love or something new that looks interesting. And seeing a bunch of people vote for a book that doesn't sound interesting to me helps me gain enthusiasm for giving it a shot.
And what about the discussions for each book? I'm finding them a little sparse (except for G33z3r who does a great job). Maybe most of you are mostly looking for recommendations?
IDK, sometimes this group feels a bit like a middle school dance where mostly people stand around watching the few on the dance floor. Dance, people!! Woo Hoo!! We love to read SF/F!! Gyrate, spaz out, do the electric slide, the Macarena, be a little teapot!!
Ok, don't be a little teapot. But, c'mon and type some stuff, click on things. I want a good argu...err, discussion :) Tell me why you hate the latest book, which I nominated lol.