Just an update and some suggestions for our Reading Group and its future.

For the November book choice I will run a poll of books which came close "second place" in polls earlier in the year as no doubt some cracking reads will have lost out and deserve another chance.

For the December read I thought that maybe we could have a selection of Christmas themed reads to choose from.  There is a thread on the forum which we had last year with quite a few titles so I should be able to make a selection from them.

For next year would anyone like to volunteer to choose some books and run polls for the group?  We just need one person each month and so anyone who wishes to do this can post here and I will set up a timetable for next year and add the names in for each month.  The polls have to be set up a week before the end of each month so anyone who wishes to volunteer needs to also say if there are any months which would be tricky for them.

Also, does anyone have any comments on how the Reading Group "got on" this year, any suggestions for improvement etc.  

Please use this thread to tell us what you think.

Think those are great ideas Wendy.   I like the idea of doing a poll for some ot the books that came a close second.  

The christmas theme is a good idea too.   You can add me to the list of volunteers for next years book group.  Don't mind which month.  

The runners-up poll is a very good idea, as is the Christmas theme.

I'm relatively new to the forum although I've been using the site for a couple of years, but I would like to volunteer to do a poll next year if that is ok.  I will be away at the end of March to early April so couldn't do that month, but any other months would be fine.

 

Love both ideas Wendy, looking forward to seeing both polls.

All great ideas, happy to chose again once everyone else has had a chance.
Does anyone know where i can learn to do polls?

seanat:

All great ideas, happy to chose again once everyone else has had a chance.
Does anyone know where i can learn to do polls?

To do a poll you have to put [Poll] in the main part of the post where you'd normally type your text (and it needs to be in square brackets like that), then on the Poll tab you just type your question or a heading, then add the options one by one in the Answer boxes underneath.  It's hard to describe like this, and I think you just need to play around with it until you see how it works - you can always delete your post when you've finished playing so why not have a practice?  If you need help, just shout!

pennyt:

seanat:

All great ideas, happy to chose again once everyone else has had a chance.
Does anyone know where i can learn to do polls?

To do a poll you have to put [Poll] in the main part of the post where you'd normally type your text (and it needs to be in square brackets like that), then on the Poll tab you just type your question or a heading, then add the options one by one in the Answer boxes underneath.  It's hard to describe like this, and I think you just need to play around with it until you see how it works - you can always delete your post when you've finished playing so why not have a practice?  If you need help, just shout!

I'll try penny, thanks.
But i thought we got timed out and werent able to delete our posts? Will give it a go, but am totally computer illiterate..duh!

Just an idea but would it be better to do the polls the other way around so that we read the xmas themed book in december i.e. before xmas to get us in the mood for xmas rather than discussing it in the new year? I don't know about everyone else but once xmas has been and gone I want to forget about it for another 12 months!

so for instance read the november (xmas) book to discuss it on 1st december (or maybe move the date closer to xmas day) and the best of the rest read in december to discuss in january.

paula1:

Just an idea but would it be better to do the polls the other way around so that we read the xmas themed book in december i.e. before xmas to get us in the mood for xmas rather than discussing it in the new year? I don't know about everyone else but once xmas has been and gone I want to forget about it for another 12 months!

so for instance read the november (xmas) book to discuss it on 1st december (or maybe move the date closer to xmas day) and the best of the rest read in december to discuss in january.

I think that's what Wendy has suggested, November read to be discussed early December and December (xmas read) to be discussed early Jan.

paula1:

Just an idea but would it be better to do the polls the other way around so that we read the xmas themed book in december i.e. before xmas to get us in the mood for xmas rather than discussing it in the new year? I don't know about everyone else but once xmas has been and gone I want to forget about it for another 12 months!

so for instance read the november (xmas) book to discuss it on 1st december (or maybe move the date closer to xmas day) and the best of the rest read in december to discuss in january.

It's "your" group so whatever members want to do is fine.  I would point out that the forums tend to be quiet around Christmas though so not many members will be around for a discussion. 

Will anyone with any suggestions or comments on this please post here.

Sorry Paula i mis-read you. Not sure I'd want to read Xmas books in November though. A bit unseasonal - but happy to go with the flow.

seanat:

A bit unseasonal

That's what I was thinking Liz.

How about we stick to my original plan but I start the Christmas books poll a bit earlier so the decision is made earlier and then have the December discussion on say the 15th December?  Then we can have a break to read our Christmas present books before starting the New Year.

 

Sorry I think I am confusing things - I just meant maybe we could read and discuss the xmas themed book before xmas day, not discuss in in november.

It is only a thought, go with the flow not just what I think

November poll:  will be a selection from those which came second in previous polls and will run for the last week of October, book to be read in November and discussed  from 1st December.

December poll: will be a selection of Christmas themed books.  The poll will be set running on or around 15th November so that the book can be discussed during the week before Christmas week.

Next Year's Book Group:  It seems that in some months the book group discussion threads haven't been as lively as they are on other months.  This can of course just be due to the chosen book, however I think if we want the Group to continue there has to be a commitment to joining in.  I love the flexible arrangement of only joining in if you want to but this can also mean that only a tiny number of people actually do.  What we need is some ideas for how this can be improved.

One idea is for the person who provides the selection from which the Group Book is chosen to make a commitment to "chair" the discussion for it in order to encourage others to join in.

Also, it should be remembered that the discussions take part in the "Spoilers" section of the forum where you can say anything about the book you want, even making specific references to the plot in order to get your thoughts on the book across.

The Book Group is for all members of the forum to join in with so please, please, please if you want the group to continue successfully next year can anyone who has any comments or suggestions post them here so we can find ways to make it even better next year.

I like the idea that whoever runs the poll "chairs" the discussion.  Perhaps we could do reminders in the few days before the discussion starts - much like Fi does when there is an imminent author chat.  I know sometimes I've read the book and then totally forget to join the discussion.  If I'd seen a reminder I wouldn't forget!

BTW, I'm happy to run a poll one month.  Jan/Feb would be best for me!