One or two "Books of the Month"? Themes for Book of the Month?

[David]

I'd like to get people's feelings about an issue concerning our "Book of the Month". In several of the most recent monthly polls, we have either had a tie between two books, or a near-tie. When there is a tie, we let both books become the "winners". (Next month we will have two "Books of the Month".)

In some months, so many excellent books are nominated, and people who voted for the "runner-up" may feel a bit miffed. So my question is, should we always have two Books of the Month? Nobody should feel obligated to read both books, and there is more chance that if one of the books doesn't interest you, perhaps the other book will be interesting.

What do you think? Consider this thread as just an informal poll. (More questions like this to follow!)

[Patricrk]

David wrote: "I'd like to get people's feelings about an issue concerning our "Book of the Month". In several of the most recent monthly polls, we have either had a tie between two books, or a near-tie. When t..."

I would prefer one winner with the tie or near tie automatically put in the next month nomination list with it winning any tie vote the next month.

[Kirsten]

It's hard enough for me to read one book, but I wouldn't object to two, or even doing it next month. I don't feel miffed if my book I wanted doesn't win, I may just read it on my own.

[Betsy, co-mod]

I think it might depend on the books. If there are two fairly easy books, maybe. But the point of a group read is to encourage discussion and I think that's more likely if most of us are reading the same book at the same time.

If you permitted two books to be selected would you have two discussion threads going at the same time? Or would you specify one to be read first?

I'm not sure I would always be able to read two books; I belong to another group that also does group reads, and I have a rather long TBR list too.

No one should feel obligated to read the selected book, of course, and anyone who wants to read one or more of the other books is of course free to do so. The disadvantage to these options is that you're on your own, not involved in a discussion with other interesting people in the group.

[Cheryl]

I agree with msg 2. We need enough people all reading the same book to have a chance at meaningful discussion.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

If there's a tie, nothing wrong with a runoff to try to determine an actual winner.

[David]

Susanna wrote: "If there's a tie, nothing wrong with a runoff to try to determine an actual winner."

It looks like people would prefer a single Book of the Month. So, are there opinions about Susanna's suggestion, about having a runoff vote if there is a tie?

[Betsy, co-mod]

I'm for it. We do that in one of my other groups and it works fine. Just do another poll.

[Katy]

I agree with using a run-off poll for ties or even if two books are close with votes.

[John]

David:

Sometimes I see a suggested candidate for book of the month, and go ahead and read it even though it isn't chosen for the BotM. We would probably get good participation in the discussions with two books to comment upon.

Later, John.

[Cheryl]

I don't mind a run-off - but sometimes then the second book gets forgotten. Do include it in the entries for the next month.

John, I'd agree w/msg 10, but sometimes it's hard to get the books, too, and that needs to be taken into account. I only vote for books that I expect to be able to get.

[David]

It seems like most people prefer one book each month. If there is a tie, we will have a short run-off poll.

Another Question: Themes for Book of the Month:
Some people have asked us to consider having a different theme for each month. For example, candidate themes might be: astronomy, quantum physics, botany, zoology, genetics and evolution, ocean science, earth science, ecology, science of the brain, science and politics, philosophy/history of science, science breakthroughs. The list could go on and on.

So, the way this could work, is that certain months would be dedicated to a specific topic. Only books that correspond to that topic should be nominated. Occasionally, we would not have any dedicated topic, to allow for books that don't quite fit into any of the categories.

What do you think?

[John]

David:

Themes for book of the month? I don't think you would get enough input from folks who respond to your request for candidates. Are there enough people here who have a favorite astronomy book, for instance? If there are, wouldn't they start their own forum? Interesting idea, though.
Later, John.

[Betsy, co-mod]

I don't like it, but I'm not passionate about it. We do that in one of my other groups and I think it's too restrictive. You might think it would encourage a broader selection of topics, but if the majority of group members want to read a physics book three months in a row, so what? It seems to me we already get a fairly broad selection. Or maybe you want to force us to selections we might not otherwise choose. I object to that.

[Cheryl]

I don't think we're a big enough group for themes... but one consideration is that maybe quiet members will be provoked to nominate something if offered a theme as a sort of nudge. I'd like us to try themes for a few months and see if it helps get more activity. If it doesn't, or if it seems to be restrictive, we could certainly drop it. We're into science; let's conduct the experiment! :)

[Deana]

The problem I see with the themes is that above, people mentioned wanting the "runner up" book in case of a tie to be included in the next month's poll. But obviously that won't work if there is a different theme the next month.