Fantasy Aficionados discussion
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Sounds like a plan, Jason. Will do.
Sounds good, Jason.
Ah, guess I didn't have to send you guys those PMs. LOL
I like hearing from you! It's all good!
Okay, small problem.Both Magician Apprentice and The Warded Man tied for next month. Grant suggested reading both since both those books have been haunting the polls for months. I sort of agree. But Maggie also brought up a good point that we're already reading a good amount of books at FA.
Usually I just set up a poll to break the tie.
What do you guys think?
In the past we have done a runoff poll, so maybe we should do that again.
I think we should do a runoff poll.
No problem, Jason.
Sorta off subject:Have you ever thought about doing guided reads? I've only taken part in 1 so I'm not 100% sure how they work. This is what we did:
One person would be chosen as the discussion leader. That person would decide the "pace" of the read. The read would be broken down into sections (chapters 1-10, 11-15, etc) and each section would be talked about with a set of questions produced by the discussion leader.
What do yall think of something like that?
I think it's a good idea, MrsJ. To be honest, I think it would be hard for me to participate because my schedule is pretty erratic. I think it would be a great idea to get members involved and let them be discussion leaders on various books.
Have you noticed in the Game of Thrones thread how the discussion is broken down episode by episode? Obviously that makes sense for television but why couldn't novels be broken down in such a manner as well. Great idea, MrsJ :) The hard part is going to be getting folks to be willing to lead those reads and invest the effort of doing the breakdown. I'll provide moral support ;) lol
HA! I'm the moral support on this one!
Finding discussion leaders would be the most difficult part. It would be easier for the discussion leader if they have already read the book, too.
To be honest, I think the best discussion leaders would be those who've not only read the novel in question but who have a love for it. I'm going to break down Assassin's Apprentice a bit in our buddy read and I can do because I love it and love delving deeply into it...I don't think I could do the same for a book that didn't incite that type of passion. But then I'm not a dryly analytical person which is kind of what I would imagine one would have to be to break down a book that was merely fair to middlin ;)
☠The Dread Pirate Grant☠ wrote: "To be honest, I think the best discussion leaders would be those who've not only read the novel in question but who have a love for it. I'm going to break down Assassin's Apprentice a bit in our b..."I don't think a lot of us can, to be honest...I've done it before but its a huge pain in the ass and it feels like work.
I guess we'd need to figure out how to get the ball rolling. Soliciting volunteers who know the books and are enthusiastic about leading discussions.For the time being, if we do this, I think it should be in addition to our monthly reads, at least until we get a workable system going.
I totally think that it should be in addition to our monthly reads.
I get what you're saying Tracey but I don't think I could be one to lead that type of discussion on a new book. I just could't disect something that I wouldn't necessarily enjoy, ya know? Like MrsJ said, it would feel too much like work. I totally second the suggestion that those who suggest Buddy Reads should lead the discussion unless someone else is willing and capable of doing so
I agree. This would have to be part of the monthly thing. But I also think it might have to be something that only happens ever so often. This is because getting people to do it will be difficult. Even if people are passionate about a book we're going to read, they probably won't volunteer.
Just a heads up, I am moving topics in the general folder to whatever folder they best fit. It's a bit Type A of me, but I don't like to see the general folder too full.
Jason, would it be okay if I created an introduction/group housekeeping folder to put this thread and the intro thread in, and other threads related to group business? I would keep it at the top so that new members can easily find the intro thread.
Hey Mods~I just made mention of this in the "Intro" thread, but it may get buried so you don't notice~
someone on intro again mentioned how she has 300 posts on that thread after being off awhile. I know the issue of why some people don't comment has come up, and I'm sure some don't because they don't want to clutter or don't even try to catch up. What about a purely "social" folder that shows up near the top, or a "tea break" thread? This might help the focus stay on new members and interests, and not just a way for members to keep in contact. Just a thought.
~thanks~
That could work. One reason so many posts show up on the introduction thread is that each new member gets several 'welcome aboard' greetings from existing members. I'm not suggesting that people be impolite about welcoming new members, just pointing it out.
Yeah, we have a somewhat long history of getting off topic. LOL
Yes, I know about the off-topic tendencies (wry grin). Also, I don't particularly mind the "welcomes," because I think it is meant to be welcoming, and I think people use judgement in how many to give out (ex. we don't have 20 "welcomes" for each new person).But there are a couple of people that are seriously way off topic, with no other kind of book related posting--clearly a social thing, like 10 posts on the same thread, all off topic, none referencing books, none even referencing new people, none really referencing anything but themselves, quite honestly. I find it bothersome when I'm trying to show an interest and welcome new faces and some of the members also seem to agree--and besides, if all the misc posts cuts down on contributions from people because they don't want all the other stuff, isn't the group losing out?
I'm not saying ban all post on gnomes, or drinks, or whatever the topic is, but if people want to use a thread strictly for social reasons~ "hi, i'm eating dinner now~" then maybe there's a better spot.
/end rant
*hugs Tracy* thanks, I was feeling quite nervous about posting my concerns. I've been enjoying it here in FA and don't want to lose those qualities I've come to appreciate!
You gotta wonder why these people would have been banned from other groups and then even bring it up here. I used to have friends who'd brag about being banned from a store. I don't get it.
Just a question about the group reads schedule. I am responsible for August suggestions and setting up the discussion threads? Sorry if that's a dumb question. Just want to be clear.
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Just a question about the group reads schedule. I am responsible for August suggestions and setting up the discussion threads? Sorry if that's a dumb question. Just want to be clear."Yep :)
Jason wrote: "You gotta wonder why these people would have been banned from other groups and then even bring it up here. I used to have friends who'd brag about being banned from a store. I don't get it."I always assume that they are looking for the same results...
So shouldn't it say, August/August?
Well, you start the poll in July and the read in August.
LadyD, you could cheat a little and just use whatever book doesn't win the poll-off ;) Work done!
What Mrs. J said. You start the suggestions at the beginning of July then start the discussion at the beginning of August.
Okay, I got it! It was more when I should start doing things. Makes sense now.Carol, I am afraid of the members of this group. I don't want to be torn to pieces by the mob if I screw up.
LOL @ Lady Danielle.I don't think anyone would tear you to pieces. Grant might threaten you with a gun or two, but I'm pretty sure we could talk him down.
I'm scared of Grant. Please protect me!
LOL - I doubt enough of us could agree on enough points to ever become a full-fledged mob! And if Grant gives you a hard time, just threaten to change all book discussions to this: 
Don't tell him I said that. *looks over shoulder*
Great advice, Tracey. I'd actually like to read that book, too. :)
I collect folklore, mythology and fairy tale books.
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Below is schedule for organizing the group reads I created for us to follow.
The first month is the month you organize - creating the suggestion threads and polls. The second month is the discussion itself where you will create the discussion threads. :)
To keep things organized, I ask that the suggestion threads be created around the first or second of every month, with the winning books chosen around the 20th. This gives members time to get the book that wins if they choose to participate.
Dec/January - MrsJoseph
Jan/February -Lady Danielle
Feb/March - Jason
March/April - MrsJoseph
April/May - Lady Danielle
May/June - Jason
June/July - MrsJoseph
July/August - Lady Danielle
August/September - Jason
Sept/October - MrsJoseph
Oct/November - Lady Danielle
Nov/December - Jason