Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
Monthly Group Reads
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Monthly Group Reads Polls and Voting
message 1051:
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Dawn
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Nov 06, 2015 09:32AM
The poll for the last group read of the year is now up: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/5...
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Both sound intriguing. However, I voted for "The Golden Mean".
January is Read a Group Read You Missed Month. I will work on setting up a thread with links. It's going to take some time since there are 80+ books. I also have all three of my blonde monsters home for the next few days. They get kind of time consuming ;) If you want to get started, all of the threads are in this discussion folder https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group... and the bookshelf featuring all of the group reads (including poll losers) can be found here https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...If you want to read one of the poll losers there is also a thread set up to discuss those books. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Happy Reading!
As many know, I usually do the group read polls sometime between the 7th and 9th of every month. Apologies it is a couple days late. i have had 'things' on my plate.I'm not going to get it done today. Hopefully you can all last one more day without a group read poll. :-D
s'all right Terri, Take care of the "Real Life" stuff you need to get done!
Thanks, happy. :-) I've had to do that a lot these last 12 months. I used to take it all on at once, but I have decided that it is social media that has to give when life gets demanding.
Are there still going to be monthly reads? (because not a new read posted since April).
Hi Tina. We've got a problem. The two moderators who work the monthly read out between them, well, one is sick and the other is having internet problems.
Tina wrote: "Are there still going to be monthly reads? (because not a new read posted since April)."I'm planning to read The Whale Road if anyone is interested maybe we could do a buddy read of this one? Its actually in the list of 10 Best by Terri and I can't find a previous monthly read thread for it. Have you read this?
I know Jane and Daniel commented elsewhere also about a monthly read, so maybe they would join in?
Ace ⚓ wrote: "Tina wrote: "Are there still going to be monthly reads? (because not a new read posted since April)."I'm planning to read The Whale Road if anyone is interested maybe we could do a ..."
I read it pre-goodreads and as I remember, I wasn't terribly impressed, but thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks Jane, did you end up reading the whole series or stop after book 1?
Ace ⚓ wrote: "Thanks Jane, did you end up reading the whole series or stop after book 1?"I stopped after Book 1. That's the only one the library had and I wasn't interested in buying others or in ILLs. You may like it; don't let my opinion stop you from reading it.
I have it, so I'm going to read it anyway.. i love Vikings and battles so I'm hoping I'll enjoy the series :)
Hi to those interested in joining in on group reads. We haven't had a group read over the last couple months and if you do enjoy those group reads, please accept my apologies.I do the polls every month and decide the books, and Gretchen, as the new group read mod, is in charge of setting up the threads for the winning book and then leading discussions.
Unfortunately over the last couple months I have had frustrating issues with my computer and my Tablet.
As well as that I am under pressure from ongoing mattters in my personal life and Goodreads had to slip down the priority list.
Apologies to all.
I also didn't run group reads for one of the months because Gretchen had a loss in the family as well as being sick. So I didn't want her to feel like she had any obligations in A&M during that period.
She is still unwell, but I think she wants to get involved in the group reads again.
I am setting up a Poll for the July group read. The group read of the winning book will start July 1.
The books in the group reads in the upcoming months will be Book #2 in series' that we have read already.
The books chosen will be from popular series' so as to make them fairly easy to find in your library, store etc... and, due to their popularity, there might be a good chance you have already read book one and need inspiration to read the next book in the series.
If you haven't read book one in a series that has a book two in the poll, you may like to read them both in July one after the other, or you may want to read the first book in the series in the second half of June. Once a clear winner can be judged from the Poll.
Apologies for the missing group read poll for August. I will run a quick one over a few days so we have a book for September.I'm afraid when life get hectic for me these days it is internet time that loses out.
Will you be going back to standalone books at some point, Terri? I'm not that terribly interested in 2nd volumes of series: even my favorite, Ruso.
Terri's message to the group for the poll said they will be doing book "2" in a series through the rest of this year.
Tina wrote: "Terri's message to the group for the poll said they will be doing book "2" in a series through the rest of this year.""upcoming months" = rest of the year?
Jane wrote: "Tina wrote: "Terri's message to the group for the poll said they will be doing book "2" in a series through the rest of this year.""upcoming months" = rest of the year?"
I'm not sure I understand your question. Here's what Terri's message said:
"...Just like the last two months, the group read selections are 'book two' in a series. Book one in these series' have been in group read polls over the years.
We are doing 'book two' in a series for the rest of the year in our polls, to inspire our members to revisit these popular series' if they have read book one, but never got around to book two."
Well, Jane, since we are almist in September...I guess so. ☺
Simona wrote: "Well, Jane, since we are almist in September...I guess so. ☺"Sigh. I guess you're right. Oh well.
Yep, rest of year. When I said recently that polls would be book two in the upcoming months, that's what I meant. I've been picking books for polls, two polls with two books in each poll for about 4 years (only recently changed it to one poll with two books only in it).Everytime I did those polls I agonised over the selections. Tried to pick books to please and tempt as many people as possible.
Active members were always in the forefront of my mind. It was getting harder and harder.
To make my job a little easier for a few months, I decided to go with a plan that my friend and former Mod, Dawn, and I had hatched a couple years back. We agreed that when it got too hard to find books to please everyone, we would do a spate of book twos. As so many are stand alone anyway.
It is not easy trying to find books for that long and not do any book twos in a series.
There are a lot of book twos in a series that are terrific stand alone books that don't get into a poll just because they are not book one.
Plenty of series books are written in such a way that you don't have to read book one to get them. I have been trying to pick some of those for the polls this year.
You're doing a good job, Terri. I'm not sure people realise how difficult the group read selection is.Having to make sure that the book is easily available all across the world, for a start.
That's the toughest one. Trying to find books that may be available to US, Commonwealth, Europe etc etc etc.. in both paper and ebook. That may have multiple translations and might also be available in physical bookstore, libraries and online in paper and digital.Sometimes I have to give in and put something up that isn't released in the US (as a lot of UK, European and Aussie authors aren't available in the US) or has no digital version (older books), but I try not to do that often.
I'm enjoying getting to those "second" books. I told my son the other day that I have too many second books on my tbr shelf. Some historical fiction, some mystery series, and some fantasy. I start a series, buy the second book, but seem to let them pile up instead of plowing through. I'm kind of proud that I'm reading the third Uther book.
Guilty as charged. I am the same. Buy the second while reading first and then never get to that second book. I also have a problem with book threes too. I get all enthusiastic, then after I finish book two I've overdosed and ready to move on to something fresh.I probably have more unread book 3s floating around than book 2s to be honest. :-)
I think publishers like series for marketing purposes. It’s hard for one book to get noticed unless it’s really fabulous. A series can gain traction. Most of the big names in publishing write series, especially in historical fiction. Series are even bleeding over into literary fiction (Neapolitan novels).
I guess that series is a better way to authors write slowly, they can develop the characters better, no harsh, they can introduce the characters at each time. The other option is write books as lenghty as War and Peace or Anna Karenina. The publishers would prefer little editions instead such things.
I agree Rafael. I think a series can give an author a chance to round out major and minor characters. I like a trilogy or four book series more than a series. But gee I miss the single book. A stand alone that was never intended to be a series and never will be a series.Not enough of those in HF.
A pet hate of mine though, is authors who write with the intention of dragging their story out into a bunch of books and therefore they dedicate the first book to only the chilhood of their main character. I need the character to become an adult, or close to it, way before the end of book one or there's a good chance I won't finish the book or bother going on to book two.
So few debut books featuring the character mostly as a child, can keep me interested. I like to read about adults.
Thank you Terri!!! You said it so well. I want each book to stand alone. It is only then that I consider the series a success.
I prefer standalone books--or ones that have definite beginnings and endings like trilogies or tetralogies. If long series I appreciate the author's recapping some of the action of previous volumes one place or another.
Jane wrote: "I prefer standalone books--or ones that have definite beginnings and endings like trilogies or tetralogies. If long series I appreciate the author's recapping some of the action of previous volumes..."I agree Jane. Some of my favorite authors have dragged out their series for so long that I feel like I'm being milked for my book dollars. The first few books are great, but then they devolve into tedium as they try to extend the interest. Drives me a little nuts.
Eileen wrote: "Jane wrote: "I prefer standalone books--or ones that have definite beginnings and endings like trilogies or tetralogies. If long series I appreciate the author's recapping some of the action of pre..."Case in point: the Lindsey Davis series about Falco. Until about half-way, the novels were great, after that they petered out. Her two standalones, The Course of Honor and the other set in the time of Domitian, Master and God, were very good.
Jane wrote: "Eileen wrote: "Jane wrote: "I prefer standalone books--or ones that have definite beginnings and endings like trilogies or tetralogies. If long series I appreciate the author's recapping some of th..."I've only read one of the Falco books, but both of those stand alone books, and really enjoyed them. I was thinking more about Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series. The first 3 or 4 books were great, but then they just really dragged and dragged.
Funny, I liked the middle books about Caesar, etc. when I read them, way back when, but did not like #1 which I tried recently. I skipped Antony & Cleopatra completely because I'm tired of reading about them. Now, I feel like Caesar's been overdone, so I probably wouldn't like these books if I started to reread.
Terri ia right. The one, perfect book is priceless, but I've always been the child that at the end of the fairy tale asked "and then what?"Good, Snowhite married the prince, AND THEN WHAT?
That's why series really appeal to me. I get to know what happems next, at least.
Simona wrote: "Terri ia right. The one, perfect book is priceless, but I've always been the child that at the end of the fairy tale asked "and then what?"Good, Snowhite married the prince, AND THEN WHAT?
That's ..."
I like to speculate on what might have happened next. The one I had the most fun with was The Legions of the Mist: A Novel of Roman Britain where I thought about what might have happened to the survivors of the massacre.
Unless they work as standalone novels I much prefer one big book to tell the story. At least you know what you're up against and there's no waiting. (Except of course for Uhtred)
Ace ⚓ wrote: "Unless they work as standalone novels I much prefer one big book to tell the story. At least you know what you're up against and there's no waiting. (Except of course for Uhtred)"LOTM does, but it's fun to guess the characters' futures. I think it's fine it ended where it did. It was written long enough ago; I don't think series were as big as they are now. BTW, you folks tickle me about your gushing over Uhtred.
May wrote: "Thank you Terri!!! You said it so well. I want each book to stand alone. It is only then that I consider the series a success."You are very welcome! :-D
Simona wrote: "Terri ia right. The one, perfect book is priceless, but I've always been the child that at the end of the fairy tale asked "and then what?"Good, Snowhite married the prince, AND THEN WHAT?
That's ..."
I get what you mean. So many good stories need a follow up, for sure.
I think of some stand alones though, that I felt had nowhere to go but to end.
Historical/contemporary fantasy, but in yhe context of the discussion it is okay to link. :') The Historian
And historical fiction, I can think of so many that need to stay as stand alones. As simply a novel, not a novel in a series ie a few of my favourites where the author ended it with no requirement for any follow ups.
My kingdom for more of those beauties!
Poll will be a day late. I try to do the poll sometime from the 7th to the 9th. I may still get it done on the 9th (US time). We'll see. We are renovating the house and I am afraid I am exhausted. :-)
Do it as you can, Terri. I'm exhausted from time change and from guests of several days; I know somewhat of how you must feel.
Ah yes. Guests can take it out of you, for sure. Even welcome guests that you enjoy the company of. Playing hostess can still be draining.Jane, I left a comment for you in the free courses thread just before. I don't think you would have ever found it unless I mentioned it.
I'll find the link.
Terri's husband has just messaged me, Terri is in hospital after having to have emergency gall bladder surgery. I know you join me in sending Terri good wishes.As we have sweet bugger all time to run a poll, she's left the choosing of the December group read up to me. I'm about to dive head first into our List and select a #2 book from a series.
Okay. Here's the thread for our December group read, One Corpse Too Manyhttps://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Margaret wrote: "Terri's husband has just messaged me, Terri is in hospital after having to have emergency gall bladder surgery. I know you join me in sending Terri good wishes.."Sorry to hear this. Best wishes to Terri for a speedy recovery!
ARK
Margaret wrote: "Terri's husband has just messaged me, Terri is in hospital after having to have emergency gall bladder surgery. I know you join me in sending Terri good wishes.As we have sweet bugger all time to..."
Hey Terry, Cheer up! Good wishes for You and your husband. Tons of love from the group!
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
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