Monthly Group Reads: Monthly Group Reads Polls and Voting Showing 701-750 of 1,359

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

If The Gods of Gotham loses, we need to have a buddy read in the losers thread next year some time. :)

[[deleted user]]

I plan on reading The Gods of Gotham at some point, since my library has it. I'm going to read The Afghan Campaign for sure. I already have that one ready to go.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Damn. I took it for granted that my library would have The Afghan Campaign. They don't.
I will be buying 47 Ronin. Not sure yet if I want to buy The Afghan Campaign too.
Dilemma.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I think (not sure) that I have solved the fantasy issue with 47 Ronin.

Looking into buying the book I saw there were different translations.

The most credible one which is translated by John Allyn.


...then there is this one:

It is done by a woman who commonly writes fantasy. I am not sure, but she may be the scriptwriter for the movie.
That is why the movie looks to be fantasy I think. This Joan D Vinge edition is sold on The Book Depository as: 'Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy'

The John Allyn book is not listed as fantasy. It is listed as: : Contemporary Fiction, Myth & Legend Told As Fiction, Historical Fiction, Asian History, Combat Sports & Self-defence

Not sure why it is classed as Contemporary Fiction.

[Portia]

I'd be happy to join a buddy read of The Gods of Gotham.

[Dawn]

I can get The Afghan Campaign from the library so it looks like I'll be reading that one.

[Michal]

I will read the 47 ronin, too, if it wins the polls (I already have it :) ). I pledged myself that I will always try the winners of the polls when I have the books available even if I am not that excited about reading them. I think it is a good opportunity to broaden my interests and push the limits a bit.

I generally do not like Asian HF movies and books because authors and audience seem to be more tolerant to the fantasy aspects in them, and accept them as if they were true. The effectiveness of the martial arts is largely exaggerated to ridiculous levels, and the same pays for the local weapons. Kung fu or karate look good, but they will not make you an effective MMA fighter, mostly because they stick to the tradition instead of embracing functionality. The same can be said about katanas. It is really good steel considering Japanese resources, but the technique of manufacturing is not unique (except perhaps the finishing which is more for aesthetic reasons). For example, Celts were using the same techniques one millennium before it was discovered in Japan, but it was abandoned because it was not economical and a superior technique that we know from dark age swords was invented. Dark age swords were then also abandoned mostly for economical purposes - because of the easy access to steel in the later period. The design looks cool, but it does not provide almost any protection for your hands, even though it was not used with a shield. Katana will not cut trough European swords/rapiers/sabres or barrels of machine guns. That's just fantasy. Oh, and mastery in martial arts will not allow you to fly. Not even levitate. Not even for a bit :). Really hope not to see these aspects in 47 ronin...

[Michal]

Portia wrote: "I'd be happy to join a buddy read of The Gods of Gotham."

I am in, too. Already have the book! ;)

[Portia]

Hi, Mixal. I am looking forward to hearing what you think.

[Bryn]

Terri wrote: "I think (not sure) that I have solved the fantasy issue with 47 Ronin.

Looking into buying the book I saw there were different translations."

Thanx for this info. At first sight I thought it was a film tie-in and ran screaming. It isn't, but I couldn't work out its situation, with versions.

Thanx for the Asian, too.

[Daniel]

Will be reading Gods Of Gotham, I think

[Daniel]

mixal wrote: "...but they will not make you an effective MMA fighter..."

I must diverge, MMA does not teach you how to fight per say, but how to win a sport. In a real fight can be over in seconds and result in the death/serious injury. Does not make good TV.

That being said, and MMA fighter is leagues above the common person, but would be at a disadvantage to a someone studying a real combat art.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

It looks pretty certain that the winners will be these two.



Now I just have to work out which cover will look the coolest on the main page during the read.

I am thinking this one is the coolest, but it doesn't exactly go with our banner. :)

[Simona]

Well, I have already gifted myself with The Gods of Gotham - I couldn't resist, it sounds too good.

May I say that that big sticker "MODERATOR" beside your names is quite appalling, I'm always afraid I've got a ticket or something...???!

[Daniel]

Simona wrote: "Well, I have already gifted myself with The Gods of Gotham - I couldn't resist, it sounds too good.

May I say that that big sticker "MODERATOR" beside your names is quite appalling..."

LOL

[[deleted user]]

Simona wrote: "Well, I have already gifted myself with The Gods of Gotham - I couldn't resist, it sounds too good.

May I say that that big sticker "MODERATOR" beside your names is quite appalling..."

I know, right? Those mods have become quite menacing.

[Simona]

Brr, Derek. I am almost too afraid to post. ;)

[Darcy]

I'm not fond of the sticker either. Makes it hard to be on the down-low. :/

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Simona wrote: "Well, I have already gifted myself with The Gods of Gotham - I couldn't resist, it sounds too good.

May I say that that big sticker "MODERATOR" beside your names is quite appalling..."

I have just noticed it. I was appalled myself!! I ran straight to the GR Feedback group to complain, only to discover that others beat me to it.

The good thing about this GR change is that it is an option I can turn off in the group settings! I turned it off.
Thank goodness for that. I was concerned it was another change being forced down our throats whether it was good or not. And it was definitely not good.

[Darcy]

Oh, that's why I suddenly don't see them anymore... Thank you Terri!

[Bryn]

Oh it's gone. It was a bit full-on!

[Bryn]

Drowned out your names. I'd rather have my eyes focused on your names.

[[deleted user]]

Good call, Terri!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

It was a weird thing to add to the site.

Can you imagine how awful it would be if all three mods were chatting to one person?
It would look like we'd cornered a little guy in an alley and were shaking him down.

[Alicja]

Terri wrote: "It was a weird thing to add to the site.

Can you imagine how awful it would be if all three mods were chatting to one person?
It would look like we'd cornered a little guy in an alley and were sh..."

Hehe, I am now picturing you guys cornering a poor soul in a dark alley, swords in hand, being all intimidating. :P

[Simona]

Alicja wrote: "Terri wrote: "It was a weird thing to add to the site.

Can you imagine how awful it would be if all three mods were chatting to one person?
It would look like we'd cornered a little guy in an all..."

Exactly. Brrr....

[Portia]

Back in the day, there were Mods and Rockers in London. In "A Hard Day's Night" some guy playing a reporter asks Ringo if he is a Mod or a Rocker. Ringo replies, "I think I'm a Mocker." He may also have been scruffy :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I have always been a fan of the mod style. :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Interesting fact. As of me posting this comment, the winners and losers of both polls have exaclty the same amount of votes on them.

97 votes all up (currently)
The Afghan Campaign 57
The Mask of Ra 40
The 47 Ronin Story 57
The Gods of Gotham 40

It can only mean that same people voting for one winner (Afghan Campaign) are going to the Medieval or Later Poll and voting for the other winner there (47 Ronin).

What a coincidence.

[Darcy]

Nope ;P

I voted for Afghan Campaign and The Gods of Gotham. ;)

[Dawn]

I voted Mask of Ra and Gods of Gotham, both the losers!

[Daniel]

Darcy wrote: "Nope ;P

I voted for Afghan Campaign and The Gods of Gotham. ;)"

me too

this is now stranger

[Simona]

Dawn wrote: "I voted Mask of Ra and Gods of Gotham, both the losers!"

Me too (I think I'll read them just the same) :)

[Dawn]

Simona wrote: "Me too (I think I'll read them just the same) :)"

I've read The Mask of Ra and I'll wait to see what everyone thinks of The Gods of Gotham before I add it to my TBR. :)

[Portia]

I plan to read the two losers, too. I voted for them also.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I'll be reading 47 Ronin in January if any members care to join me.

I wanted to read The Afghan Campaign too, but that plan feel through (my library doesn't have it).

I voted for Afghan Campaign and The Gods of Gotham

[Alicja]

Do you have interlibrary loan? My library is trying to find 47 Ronin for me since they don't have that one (but they do have The Afgan Campaign).

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I have interlibrary loan, but they wouldn't be able to get the book to me for the first week of January due to all the holidays over Christmas and New Year. I likely wouldn't get it until mid to late Jan.

So I decided not to bother. Dawn will be joining group members on Afghan, I'll be on the 47 Ronin read. (I'll be buying 47 Ronin if I can find an affordable copy).

[Michal]

Daniel wrote: "mixal wrote: "...but they will not make you an effective MMA fighter..."

I must diverge, MMA does not teach you how to fight per say, but how to win a sport. In a real fight can be over in second..."

That is a good point. However, in the very minimalistic set of rules it has it allows some pretty good comparison. I still think that it is quite safe to conclude that in real combat situation MMA gives you much better fighting chances than the traditional Eastern styles. It is also quite interesting how MMA (after basically including the effective part of all martial arts) is very close to old Greek Pankration...

[Michal]

Portia wrote: "Hi, Mixal. I am looking forward to hearing what you think."

Looking forward to hear what you think, too! Always great fun to discuss books here :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Wanted to thank all our members for making the January Group Read Polls the most voted on EVER!!

Still a couple days to go too.

[Dawn]

Fabulous!!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

FEB polls will be one day late. Sorry. :)

[Simona]

You would be surprised to know how many things are 1 day late in my life, after the holidays... :)

[Portia]

One day! How efficient you are:-)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Well geez, usually the natives are beating down my browser if the polls are a few hours late. :-)
You must all still be in a sluggish food haze after the gluttony of Christmas.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

FEB Polls are open!!!!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/5...

[Bryn]

I am so quick. I'll read Hawk Quest that I've had for a while, and Merchants & Heroes just enticed me to buy at under $6 the ebook. Those two for me in Feb.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Those two for me too. I own both and need the extra incentive to get to them.

[Bryn]

Can't wait! Nice choices! Look forward to Feb.