In-Between Books Chat Area

[Kathleen]

Ken wrote: "2020 is like the Wicked Witch of the East. Killed by a falling calendar last Dec. 31st, then someone said of 2021, "She's worse than her sister!"

Yep. We need a bucket of water, sooner rather than..."

This is hilarious.

Here's to a better 2022! There's only Glinda left, and she's a good witch.

[Alan]

Loved joining the group this year! Thanks for having me, and Merry Christmas everyone :)

[Ginny]

Still true for 2021.

[Ken]

Ginny wrote: "Still true for 2021.
"

Yeah, it's tough to say which was worse -- 2020 without the vision or 2021. To this year's advantage, there was the vaccine, but like everything else in this Dividers' Paradise called America, that just became a political football and more Us vs. Them fodder.

I'm going to call it a tie and move my money to 2022.

Meanwhile, I have a dozen or so nominations for Feb. from Day 1 of 2 voting days. If you have a pre-1900 book you want to nominate, send it my way today. Tomorrow morning, the first-round poll will be posted.

[Bionic Jean]

Looking forward to this! If you have a dozen, I'll stop wracking my brains :)

[Ken]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Looking forward to this! If you have a dozen, I'll stop wracking my brains :)"

I often sit nominations out, too. If we only had four nominations, it'd be a different story. West Side Story, maybe.

[Ken]

Angela wrote: "Good morning, all. I’m happy to let someone else pick the book, else I will suggest Henry James and everyone will hate me. Seriously, save for one instance, I have read each book and appreciated al..."


Awww. So cute you have a pandemic pup (their numbers are legion). I am in the opposite, pup-lonely, boat. We lost our pooch of 16 years in April of '20. The game plan was NO DOG (first time in our coming-on-40 years of marriage) so we could travel as newly-retired sorts.

Along came a dog of another sort. Covid. The Junkyard Dog that cramps your travel plans as nicely as a real dog.

[Bionic Jean]

Yep, I can relate to this. A few months ago we adopted a dog from Romania - had waited for him for 2 years! We've called him Wolfie (so you know what he's like). Think Carpathian mountains! Gorgeous, gorgeous dog, but what we didn't know is that street dogs in Romania have a lot of wild dog DNA in them. So it's not like training a pet dog. They are very independent, "Am I safe?" is their first question, followed by "What is there in this for me?"

In those 2 years they hadn't even managed to get a collar on him! But he's happy and affectionate with us now, loves his harness, and has just been introduced to doggie chocs :) If we can just conquer his lingering fear of doorways ... and cars ...

[Kathleen]

I'll follow Ken's lead and put my money on 2022. Never mind peace on earth goodwill toward men--I'd settle for less hate and a little more common sense.

Angela, I had to laugh at your Henry James comment. I've always loved him, but just this year read The Wings of the Dove and understood better how he got that bad reputation. :-)

Dogs are so much work, but worth every bit of it. Love the stories--please keep us updated on how things go!

Can't wait for tomorrow to see the nominations ...

[Ken]

Our son and daughter each have a dog, so we get our dog fixes when they visit. Still, a man gets used to unconditional love in the form of fur and four paws.

I am one of those Henry James loathers who still hasn't forgiven a college professor for assigning us some book with either "Lady" or "Bowl" in the title. It took James 23 pages to describe a drawing room. No, thank you!

[Bionic Jean]

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bowl, perhaps Ken?

Wolfie says thanks by proxy :) Yes, if you're used to having a dog there's a big hole without.

[Ken]

Bionic Jean wrote: "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bowl, perhaps Ken?

Wolfie says thanks by proxy :) Yes, if you're used to having a dog there's a big hole without."

Ha! That title has it covered!

[Bionic Jean]

I did enjoy The Turn of the Screw.

[Yvonne]

Here's to beloved canine companions. My Sammy is a reliable cuddler and appreciated especially for his ability to get my nose out of my book and my butt up out of my chair to go for walks regularly. Yay, Sammy. Keepin' me grounded in these very strange times.

Looking forward to studying the list of nominees; still not certain if I'll throw a title into the mix myself. ~Yvonne

[Ken]

Dzien Dobry! The poll is up! I double checked that I had all nominations, but if you find yours missing, contact me ASAP and I'll fix it.

Happy browsing and happy voting. This is a "meaty" list, as the carnivores say.

[Darrin]

Definitely a lot to choose from. I managed to find one that was already on my Want to Read list and voted that way. It will be interesting to see the top 3 vote getters.

[Ken]

I should clarify what the second poll will look like on Thursday morning because I know there will be ties.

If three books tie for first, it'll be a simple thing. Those are the three finalists.

However, let's say 2 books tie for first, 3 books tie for second, and 2 books tie for third. In that scenario, I will not be entering all 7 books for the final poll.

I will drop down to the next position only to reach the number 3, and if other books are tied there, they all go in the final poll. Thus, in the above scenario, 5 books (those tied for first and second) go into the final and the two tied for third are dropped.

Using this technique could still land us with a bigger second list. If one book alone is first, one book alone is second, and six books are tied for third, I'd have no choice but to list 8 books because, to get my third book, I'd have to dip into a position where there are multiple books tied at that position.

Seem logical? (I'm not particularly logical, so if you see a better way, I'm willing to listen!)

[BarbaraW]

You are great!!

[Kathleen]

Ditto what Barbara said. :-)

[Sara]

Sounds like this job requires math, Ken, which leaves me out. lol. I'm actually SURE you have it all under control.

[Nidhi]

My word!! I don’t envy your job Ken, just reading the comment made me dizzy 🥴 lol.

[Ken]

I know, I know. Remember those crazy word problems from school? If two trains are traveling in opposite directions, one at 67 mph and the other at 53 mph, and there is construction in Oklahoma, a snowstorm in Utah, and politicians kissing babies and eating brontosaurus burgers in Nevada, where will they meet, rounded to the nearest hypotenuse of the train engineers' apple pi's?

[Sara]

LOL. I think that was the exact question I got on my SATs.

[Ken]

Sara wrote: "LOL. I think that was the exact question I got on my SATs."


Yikes. Bad memories. The math SATs blew me out of the proverbial water. Proof positive that I was right when I whined to the math teacher that all these word problems would prove worthless in my life.

[Ken]

Bionic Jean wrote: "It depends how many are voting, really. The danger is (as you mentioned once before) that if nearly everyone suggests one book, and they all go into a poll, then most people will vote for the book ..."


Yes. It would be a variation of ranked-choice voting (we have this system here in Maine, but only when no one gets 50% of the vote). The variation would mean everyone votes for a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice.

That scenario would shift us away from GR's polls and mean we'd use my inbox instead. If I assigned 3 pts to each 1st place vote, 2 pts. to each second, and 1 pt. to each third, we'd collectively wind up with a wider range of totals on the books.

Let's see how this double poll goes. Then we can look at the above option for June's read. (I believe this is called "growing pains.")

So far we have 18 votes in today with four books tied for first. It's a tough time of year to get people's attention, though. And most GR members of groups are members in name only. Not sure WHY, but it's a fact of GR life.

P.S. What always amazes is how unpredictable voting will be. When I put up a new poll, I typically predict to myself which three titles will be in the running for top dog. And typically, I'm wrong. My three choices this time, for instance, are all sitting at the bottom of the ORG barrel with Zero Mostel for votes.

It's all Greek to me.

[BarbaraW]

I didn’t vote for my book. You all are much better read than me!!

[Bionic Jean]

Maybe I voted for yours, Barbara :)

[Yvonne]

Ken, I think you are great to be willing to honcho this process at all. Thank you! Your plan for this time is just fine by me. Looking at the list of nominations right now -- great nominations, folks. Looking forward!
~Yvonne, feeling crummy and just back from getting a covid nasal swab test at my local hospital's mobile test site, oy

[Diane]

You could try the old hat trick Ken. I'm glad you're in charge. We all trust you implicitly.

[Sue]

Ken, you’re a brave soul to take all of this on. I’m about to vote soon, well after dinner, so more votes coming. Thanks for what you do with this group.

[Ken]

Yvonne wrote: "Ken, I think you are great to be willing to honcho this process at all. Thank you! Your plan for this time is just fine by me. Looking at the list of nominations right now -- great nominations, fol..."

Hope it's not Covid, Yvonne, but if it is, thoughts your way for a hasty recovery.

In 2020 I personally knew no one who caught Covid. In the past two weeks, three people I know have contracted it -- one in Connecticut, one in North Carolina, and one in Maryland.

[Yvonne]

Thanks, Ken. Mild symptoms but enough of a match that I thought it wise to request testing, and the advice nurse agreed. Results in two to five days. Meanwhile, curled up with a cozy afghan and cuddly canine, reading. Me not him reading…

[Sue]

Rest up, Yvonne. Feel better soon.

[Bionic Jean]

Good wishes from me too Yvonne :)

[Yvonne]

Thanks, Sue and Jean.

[Ken]

Yvonne wrote: "Thanks, Ken. Mild symptoms but enough of a match that I thought it wise to request testing, and the advice nurse agreed. Results in two to five days. Meanwhile, curled up with a cozy afghan and cud..."

Keep us posted, Yvonne!


I just sent a "get-out-the-vote" message to all group members, so check your GR mailboxes for an update on Day 1 of 2's voting.

If you're reading this, haven't yet voted, and are considering participation in February's book discussion, VOTE TODAY!

Tomorrow morning I will send out the Round Two poll showing the finalists, meaning many of you will either get the chance to choose your favorite again (if it makes it) or to reconsider the new selections (if it doesn't).

[Sandra]

I’m quite behind in my reading so am not voting. If I catch up, I will join all of you. I am only 1/3 through History of the Rain by Niall Williams. Because I am savoring every sentence, and because Christmas brought my son from Singapore to visit for the first time in over two years, I am far behind!! Happy holidays and Yvonne, I hope you are okay!

[Ken]

Sandra wrote: "I’m quite behind in my reading so am not voting. If I catch up, I will join all of you. I am only 1/3 through History of the Rain by Niall Williams. Because I am savoring every sentence, and becaus..."

Sorry you'll miss things, Sandra, but catching up is important -- as is quality time with your long-distance son!

The second poll is up. It includes the first-place book plus five that finished in a second-place tie.

Before voting, look over the books carefully -- what they're about, when and where they were written, what their influences were, how long they are, etc. One is bound to appeal more than others!

Me, I'm undecided as of now. Mulling over between three of the six.

[BarbaraW]

My first book didn’t make it but the one I chose did! So I chose it again. Here’s to more great reading in 2022!

[Sara]

Yvonne Hope you are feeling better already.

Sandra How lovely to have this time with your son! Far more important than all the books on the planet.

[Sandra]

Thanks, Sara. I agree! I will have plenty of time to read when he’s back in Singapore!

[Sue]

There are three I like, one the one I voted for before. I did vote for the same as in the first round though.

[Ken]

Tempus fugit again, my friends.

Put your thinking caps on. In about a week's time, you'll be receiving a message from your ORG hosts looking for JUNE nominations.

Once titles are in and two polls completed, we should have a title on or around May 1st, giving folks a goodly month to procure and read the book if they so wish.

I hope everyone's healthy and that all you Northern hemisphere types are looking forward to more spring weather!

[Darrin]

It is hard to believe we are already looking at our next read! I feel like I finished The Brothers Karamazov only weeks ago....oh, that's right, I did!

My family and I leave for Korea on May 21, so whatever we decide, I will be able to pick it up before the plane ride. This is a modern obscure novel, correct?

[Ken]

This is any ole book you want -- old or new. In your case, I'd say a good plane read (though I never could read so hot in planes). Your trip sounds tres cool, btw!

[BarbaraW]

Can’t wait!

[Ken]

Stand by, everyone. You should be receiving a message from me soliciting book nominations for the group's JUNE book. Please read the guidelines carefully if you wish to participate in the nominating/voting process (both of which are voluntary and neither of which excludes you from reading the book and joining the discussion if you like the choice and want to talk about it).

[Kathleen]

And ... the first round poll is up! You should have received a message that you have today and tomorrow to select your choice for our June discussion.

We'll have round two with the finalists on Friday morning.

VOTE NOW--we have to do our part to save world democracy!

[Carol]

I have narrowed it down, but it is hard. I didn’t even vote for the one I chose, because there are too many other good ones. I guess I have to do eeny meeny miney mo. I have three to choose from now go. I voted. Couldn’t stomach reading a tome. Reading another book by one, so I chose the one by ……you have to wait.

[Ken]

I have two favorites, so I'm just eenying and meenying.