Post Your Thoughts On Future BOTM Ideas

[Sean, Moderator]

Thanks

[Janet , Moderator]

Sean, I cannot stress enough that quality is better than quantify. Just relax, it's all good.

The one main gripe about a regular BOTM are cost implications for many. What we do works well for now.

[Christine]

Janet wrote: "Sean, I cannot stress enough that quality is better than quantify. Just relax, it's all good.

The one main gripe about a regular BOTM are cost implications for many. What we do works well for now."

Janet, you are 100% correct. The TOTAL number of members is totally meaningless. Sorry, Sean, but I believe that to be true. There are probably 80-100 regulars and I am sure a few shy folks who don't post, but the rest of them just are not around. I am guilty of that, being a member of at least a dozen groups where I have never posted, and I am never there and have just been too lazy to cancel membership. The important number is how many regulars we have, and I think we have a very respectable number of regulars.

[[deleted user]]

Yes Sean listen to Chris, she is right !! :)

[Janet , Moderator]

I agree with you Christine. If we can get new regular members that's great but numbers are just numbers. People will float to a group when they find something good that takes their interest.

[Freda]

Kathryn wrote: "Just putting in my two cents: I like a group read each month, with a poll up to vote on something to read. I wasn't sure how things worked regarding the reads here."

I like polls too! :D

[Ty]

Agree with quality vs quantity. I am not sure why we have a desperate desire to grow, keep adding etc, but then that's me.

With any group, including this one, a very small percentage relative to size, are the ones who regularly contribute and its they who keep a group going .

[Sean, Moderator]

Yes I agree with all the comments, and want the quality the same as you all do, but I just hope that as we do attract new members we get "Active" new members who do want to join in the fun.

I am happy we grow not just for the size of the group, but hope that for every 20-30 new members we may get 2-3 great active authors and readers.

I am so proud of all the active members and how friendly we are as a group, I know some have stronger opinions, but I think overall we have everything right.

And happy for the support, the fact we grow is not a bad thing, the frustration just comes with people joining and not posting.

Christine you are right, many join then move on or forget, but not 1,500 of them. many just lurk in the background which I find frustrating.

Happy to have you all along for this great ride !

[Christine]

I don't mind lurkers. They may not want to jump into the fray or are shy. As long as they get enjoyment from reading posts and getting reading ideas, that's a good thing.

[Janet , Moderator]

You see I don't think you should find it frustrating, you'll make yourself ill!! Some people are incredibly shy, lack confidence or they simply don't have the time to commit to anything. It's not easy to launch yourself on social media, especially if you've never done it before elsewhere. However. if they enjoy the comments and take away recommendations for their reads then there's nothing wrong with that. It's a good thing. We can encourage but not pressure. I just don't like if we're being used for whatever reason, other than that, it's all good.

[Sean, Moderator]

Good points

[Christine]

Yeah, Sean, Janet really stated it well. I think A Good Thriller has done amazingly well as a GR group. I don't see anyone having more attentive mods.

[Kirsten]

I agree, Christine. Definitely one of my top groups!

[Alex]

My agent just turned me on to Bloodman by Robert Pobi, who's another client of hers. It's really good! A combination of Stephen Dobyns and Thomas Harris. Very literary, very spooky.

Also, Carthage by Joyce Carol Oates blew me away. For me, it was a more satisfying read in the spirit of Gone Girl, and a great thriller. For some reason, I feel like people shy away from Oates because they think they's too heady, but her fiction is completely accessible, and often gripping.

[Alex]

Ha—I'm getting the sense from the thread that BOTM may or may not be looking for new titles. Anyway, I like the idea, especially if it means introducing us all to new titles.

[Linda]

Alex wrote: "My agent just turned me on to Bloodman by Robert Pobi, who's another client of hers. It's really good! A combination of Stephen Dobyns and Thomas Harris. Very literary, very spooky.

Also, Carthage..."

Bloodman is the book that led me to Robert Pobi... one of the best books I've ever read. Absolutely did not see the ending coming.

[Christine]

Alex wrote: "My agent just turned me on to Bloodman by Robert Pobi, who's another client of hers. It's really good! A combination of Stephen Dobyns and Thomas Harris. Very literary, very spooky.

Also, Carthage..."

Whoa, Alex, I just looked up these 2 books and marked them both. Thank you.

[Alex]

Christine—enjoy!

[Brenda]

Linda wrote: "Alex wrote: "My agent just turned me on to Bloodman by Robert Pobi, who's another client of hers. It's really good! A combination of Stephen Dobyns and Thomas Harris. Very literary, very spooky.

A..."

That hooked me, Linda. Added.

[Julie]

Suggesting The Darkening Sky by Hugh Greene

The Darkening Sky

[Scott]

Here's my take using pros and cons on the subject for BOTM. Con: if your like me and willing to read a debut author or one with no real fame with just a few books. Your not likely to get huge support from your fellow readers of the group to give your author and nominated book any type of notoriety as an established author. The exception is when an author hits the NY Times and or USA Today Best Seller list.
Con: the books that wins the vote is not one your interested in at all.
Pro: You nominated a book that people will see and pass judgment on either because they don't want read any reviews, the book description and or not give a new author the time of day.
I nominate books every month I can't get past 15 votes.

[Scott]

On another subject I only joined this group to have a link with people who really like to read thrillers than any other genre. Here because thriller writer are so good with writing that keeps you turing pages your likely to walk into any library looking for that cool looking book cover and open it and saying "oh yeah" even If that book is a debut or the authors second or forth book or a New series all together. I like military fiction and Patrick Robinson is my favorite and collect his books. With this group I would hope some people here would have read just a few of his books. Another group can't seem to get past Tom Clancy. Stephen Hunter is a good author and does well however falls short because he is no Stephen King or James Patterson.
I mainly participate in the fun and games tread from this group.

[Eileen]

I recently joined this group. Are there monthly book discussions?

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Christine wrote: "Alex wrote: "My agent just turned me on to Bloodman by Robert Pobi, who's another client of hers. It's really good! A combination of Stephen Dobyns and Thomas Harris. Very literary, very spooky.

A..."

And me! Thank you 8:D

I have just finished a really good read - The Burning Man by Solange Ritchie which is due to be published in September. I couldn't put it down and highly recommend it.

[Linda]

I'll also recommend The Burning Man by Solange Ritchie. Excellent book!

[Sean, Moderator]

As a group, we try to be a little different.

We do BOTM with our Q & A authors.

We stick to our Book Pal and PIck It For Me.

Soon will confirm 2-3 author Q & A's.

[Perri]

Sean, how about Angela Marsons? She's gotten good buzz from the group :)

[Christine]

I second that.

[Sean, Moderator]

One I am about to approach shortly.

Angela has just become a friend, so will approach, but have to be careful, when I have three authors soon to announce dates.

[Perri]

That makes good sense-thanks Sean

[Stefanie]

Love that idea guys. Silent Scream is winning PIFM for June by a landslide

[Christine]

Sean wrote: "One I am about to approach shortly.

Angela has just become a friend, so will approach, but have to be careful, when I have three authors soon to announce dates."

Totally agree, Sean, let's not overwhelm the readers and have a bad showing.

[Skye]

Yes, Christine makes a great point.

[Sean, Moderator]

This is a fine line I try to keep right.

I get many messages asking about a BOTM, but I personally think it is great to be different here, which we are and I think overall most members are happy with our PIFM and Book Pal and then any Q & A authors, that is enough I think.

Waiting to here from Tom Wood, Jennifer Hillier , Nelson De Mille and Angela Marsons.

[Christine]

I'm happy.

[Perri]

Ain't nobody happy unless Christine is happy :)

[Sean, Moderator]

Phew.....

[Skye]

Thank goodness:

[Brenda]

I guess we're all happy!

[Christine]

lol, you guys. (-:

[Skye]

Well, you are the BIG chief, of sorts, Christine.

[Christine]

Skye wrote: "Well, you are the BIG chief, of sorts, Christine."

lol, Skye, not even in my own house... (-:

[Skye]

You must be kidding: I picture you as extremely bossy!!!! LOL

[Christine]

4 year old Major Milly Ma'am is the boss of our house. Then comes Jody, Rainey, Holly, Ricky, Jean, then ME!

[Skye]

Who is the wailing one????

[Skye]

I have everyone's picture.

[Christine]

Jody

[Skye]

OK; I have a file just for their pictures.

[Brenda]

Christine wrote: "4 year old Major Milly Ma'am is the boss of our house. Then comes Jody, Rainey, Holly, Ricky, Jean, then ME!"

Hahahaha!!! :-)

[Icy-Cobwebs-In-Space]

I'd like to postulate A Journal of Sin for a future BOTM or Group Read. Just read it this week and highly enjoyed it. Great reader's hook. And the female protagonist (a new DC) balances on a knife-edge [metaphorically]. Very well done. Best of all, for me, it's English,:)