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Hi, Jessica!

Not yet, actually. You haven't missed anything. :-)

Some discussions mainly on the July readings are going on here:

/topic/show/....

Hi Marcos! Thank you so much.

Has there been any discussion to adding another mod? Every other group I am in has at least two, and this is the largest. Seems like a lot for just one person to manage.

Hi, Joanna!

That may eventually be considered. But so far we've found it better not to discuss that before Kasey, our mod, is back.

Marcos wrote: "Hi, Joanna!

That may eventually be considered. But so far we've found it better not to discuss that before Kasey, our mod, is back."

She was back yesterday. What did she decide?

I may have missed that, Nancy. Did she post anything?

Is this where we should be checking for news on the group's break? I don't want to miss the restart and I don't want to be a pain in the, um, spine. But as one of the many library-only members, I'm often surprised to see which books are wait-listing and I don't want to be too far behind.

Yes, Allegra, we started talking about this here, so it is OK to go on here. some chat on this also in another thread, see link in my message 205 above.

However, when we restart, I'm sure we'll do every effort possible to let members know! :-)

Has anyone sent a PM to Kasey?

Recently, when she was back, we exchanged PM's.
I also sent a new message to her yesterday, just to see how she is. I'll let you know here when I have any news.

I understand that we have a month off for July but can we please start August nominations?

Not yet, Jessica. Actually, we must have Kasey back before that. Even if we started the nominations, we wouldn't be able to set the polls. Only the moderator can do that.

As mater of fact, I think we're way beyond the point of having the necessary time for the [nomination / voting / time to obtain the BOTM] sequence for August.

What I mean is that we should discuss what we're doing in August anyway.

Maybe the same as in July? Any other ideas?

Marcos wrote: "Not yet, Jessica. Actually, we must have Kasey back before that. Even if we started the nominations, we wouldn't be able to set the polls. Only the moderator can do that.

As mater of fact, I think..."

What about short stories?
That way, even though its late it would still be feasible since a short story or novella takes nowhere near as long to read as a full length book.
Just a thought.

Well, Sarah, it is not an issue of choosing a theme, like short stories. It's that we don't have the time left for the choosing process. Even if we chose this theme, short stories, there would be no time for nominations, etc.

I love the short story genre, by the way. :-)

I love the short story idea as well. But as an answer to the bigger question...

What if you opened a chat where we each name a favorite non-group book from the summer so far (or the year)? That would at least give folks suggestions, and maybe for August we each read and comment on something someone else enjoyed.
Or we could do something based on the Great American Read list?

Marcos wrote: "Well, Sarah, it is not an issue of choosing a theme, like short stories. It's that we don't have the time left for the choosing process. Even if we chose this theme, short stories, there would be n..."

You're missing why I suggested short stories. Its not about a theme. Its about time. A short story doesn't require the time commitment of a book. So even if it were to get to the point where it was a couple days in to the month before we had something selected, it would still be possible for people to squeeze it in the month.

Also, the nomination process doesn't have to be a long one. One of the other groups I'm in has nominations open for 24-48 hours, depending on number of nominations.
As a one-time thing, we could do something similar if Kasey was able to come back to set up the poll or was willing to make someone else a mod so they could do it.

Personally, I'm not much of a short story person. So the suggestion wasn't so much something I would want as trying to find a way to still have a group "read" while understanding the time issue.

Allegra wrote: "I love the short story idea as well. But as an answer to the bigger question...

What if you opened a chat where we each name a favorite non-group book from the summer so far (or the year)? That wo..."

I like Allegra’s idea. The usual nominations only state the book titles, & some books are nominated frequently. Asking members to recommend just one recent favourite book, giving a reason for their choice, would be more meaningful. Perhaps this could be done whatever other decisions are made.

While I like Allegra's idea very much, I think implementing it will be quite messy unless someone has a really good strategy.

Because I think every one nominates a favourite book and then everyone discusses another's favourite book will result in an incoherent topic where it is hard to follow discussions or participate, even if we have seperate topics one for nomination and one for discussions.

I am thinking if Kasey came before August, what if we made Audiobook theme month? Where nominations will be restriced by the books which have an audio version.

We accelarate the nomination and voting processes and provide links to audiobook listening platforms where most of them provide at least one month free trial for the readers who don't have free options or onedrive from their public library.

This way everyone can have the book immediately, and maybe encourage others to try new forms of books if they haven't already?
Of course anyone who has a phyiscal copy and wishes to read it instead is most welcome to join.

Zainab wrote: "While I like Allegra's idea very much.
I think implementing it will be quite messy unless someone has a really good strategy.

Because I think every one nominates a favourite book and then everyone..."

A very good point, Zainab. I was thinking of just getting some interesting recommendations, not discussing the books. Though perhaps after reading a book it would be nice to send a message to the person who had suggested it (depending on their security settings).

I'm using the time to focus on EHRTBM challenges and my personal reading goals for the year. For discussion, we could comment on The Last Book I Read Was or other threads, although I'm not sure how many people would respond.

Shelley wrote: "I'm using the time to focus on EHRTBM challenges and my personal reading goals for the year. For discussion, we could comment on The Last Book I Read Was or other threads, although I'm not sure how..."

And there is also TBR revival challenge we could focus - I've already cleared 6 from that list :-)

Trisha wrote: "Zainab wrote: "While I like Allegra's idea very much.
I think implementing it will be quite messy unless someone has a really good strategy.

Because I think every one nominates a favourite book an..."

I was mostly thinking about the reading, less the discussion. But I had thought of Zainab's issue. I was thinking we'd use the Reply button but that's still messy the way it works on GR. All I can come up with is to use Reply to tell the group what you've chosen, then start a new discussion/link (likely with spoilers, to keep to one per title) where others who are reading (or have read) the book can join in.

I love Short Stories and Audio, but without knowing Kasey's plans and availability, I'm trying to work around Marcos' point about timing. I've got plenty to read, but I'd hate to see this group die and not posting new books or group activities for two-plus months is often a bad step.

Maybe Zeljika's TBR idea is best. I just wish we could establish more of a "group" aspect. Without an admin, is there a way to lead members to that discussion?

Sarah wrote: "Marcos wrote: "You're missing why I suggested short stories. Its not about a theme. Its about time..."

Well, yes, I missed that! :-) It would work, to choose a read less demanding in time.

However, that'd still be a change in schedule and in the choosing process. I'd prefer not to take any action that changes anything before that is very carefully discussed and then decided by a significant number of members. Some of our members expressed a serious concern about that as well, in previous discussions.

That's why the month off was such a good idea. We managed to keep on as a group, discuss our readings, without having to change anything.

Shelley wrote: "I'm using the time to focus on EHRTBM challenges and my personal reading goals for the year. For discussion, we could comment on The Last Book I Read Was or other threads, although I'm not sure how..."

Yes, all the challenges (the group main challenge, Relay Race, Alphabet Soup, and TBR revival) are going on! And that's a good way to keep part of our group activities, That was reminded when we discussed what to do in July.

Also all the usual open discussions are... open! :-) (Like Last Book I read..., etc.)

So, at least we can repeat July, read more group catch up books, keep the challenges and other discussions going.

Allegra wrote: "I've got plenty to read, but I'd hate to see this group die and not posting new books or group activities for two-plus months is often a bad step..."

So would I and, I'm sure, most of us. I'm quite confident the group won't die! :-)

I think we should decide what to do in August first of all, exactly to keep the group going.

Kasey was back for a while, that was a good thing. We haven't heard from her since, but I still think she'll be back.

People can also do buddy reads with previous group books and use the always open threads for their discussions.

It doesn’t have to be a formal vote either. It’s as simple as saying “Hey, I’m reading “book�� in August who wants to join me?�� I think there were several people reading One Hundred Years of Solitude in July.

I like the idea of buddy reads!

In fact in that spirit after looking through the groups book list I think I’m going to read Frankenstein in August. It’s available for free on Kindle and most libraries should have it.

Would anyone care to join me?

I agree short stories could be a good idea. I would suggest choosing an author of several short stories rather than a specific short story may be beneficial (classic: Poe, Grimm Brothers, Bradbury, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, etc. / modern: Gaiman, Monroe, King, etc.). Than people can choose which stories by that author they want to read. It would be open-ended in a good way.

I feel confident we could have a belated/ abbreviated nomination process and just vote in a thread.

Suggestion: nominate Sun 22-Thurs 26/ vote: Fri 27-Tues 31.

To me this relax month was very good, it let me catch up quite a lot with the group bookshelves and the challenges. I wouldn't mind another catch up month to get finally updated, although I have a lot of other responsibilities to get on to already (that master's thesis is not going to write itself) :D

Hectaizani wrote: "In fact in that spirit after looking through the groups book list I think I’m going to read Frankenstein in August. It’s available for free on Kindle and most libraries should have ..."

Hi Hectaizini, I am interested in joining you, but I would listen rather than read.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: Hi Hectaizini, I am interested in joining you, but I would listen rather than read.

Same thing. :) You're welcome to join me I'm going to bump the old spoiler thread for Frankenstein on the 1st so we can discuss as we go.

Hectaizani wrote: "In fact in that spirit after looking through the groups book list I think I’m going to read Frankenstein in August. It’s available for free on Kindle and most libraries should have ..."

I’d like to join you too, please.

Trisha wrote: "I’d like to join you too please��

The more the merrier. Welcome aboard. I’ll bump the thread on August 1st and we can start chatting away. I’m excited, I’ve been meaning to read Frankenstein for a long time!

hectaizani- how did you find frankenstein free on kindle. mine says 7.99

Tara wrote: "hectaizani- how did you find frankenstein free on kindle. mine says 7.99"

Tara, I use AmazonUK, so your version may be different. I searched for “Frankenstein Mary Shelley�� & set it for the Kindle edition. There were masses of results, with prices from £0.49 to about £8. I scrolled through, looking at different publishers. I was about to pay for a cheap version, then remembered that AmazonClassics versions are available free for some books & found it. It looks like this:

Hope you can find a copy you like.

I think I will continue on my TBR Challenge. I am still behind on that.

This is the edition of Frankenstein that I found for free on Kindle



It must be way, way down in the search results because I couldn't find it again until I went into my library and looked for it.

I think if you sort “Price Low to High�� it will show up at the top. It should also be available on Project Gutenberg and to listen for free on Librovox.

Any news for August? 😥

Emily wrote: "Any news for August? 😥"

Still on a summer break apparently. There was no nomination for August, and it's almost time for the September nomination to start.

Thanks for the tip on the $0 kindle edition of Frankenstein!

I downloaded my copy and I'll be participating in the discussion.

NancyJ wrote: "Emily wrote: "Any news for August? 😥"

Still on a summer break apparently. There was no nomination for August, and it's almost time for the September nomination to start."

I think it’s time to start a nomination thread for two additional mods and September nominations.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Emily wrote: "Any news for August? 😥"

Still on a summer break apparently. There was no nomination for August, and it's almost time for the September nomination to start."

I think i..."

I agree. I was excited when I found this group, but I'm afraid if we wait too much longer, people are going to start leaving. I don't want it to be abandoned.

Jamie wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Emily wrote: "Any news for August? 😥"

Still on a summer break apparently. There was no nomination for August, and it's almost time for the September nom..."

Most of the active posters have joined other groups, but we check back once in a while to see if this group will be revived.

I've loved being part of this group, especially because it's introduced me to lots of books I wouldn't pick up otherwise. I have a lot of respect for the way the group's been set up and run, but I do feel this hiatus is getting too long...

Like I said before, I am very confident that the group will continue, active and attractive! :-)

We've got very nice persons as members, and I know they'll be back when the group is back.

As for August, I guess there's no more time for any specific action, so I propose we do the same as we did in July. Let's catch up!

Could those of you who have joined similar groups tell us about your favourite ones?

Marcos, do you have any interest in being a mod? Regardless of other concerns, a two month hiatus really highlights the fact that one mod is too few. You clearly have the best understanding of the intent of this group and could keep it going as per normal.

I agree a strategy is needed. Since Kasey left, more than 100 new members have arrived, and at least 20 long time members have been waiting. You asked us to be patient, but it's been two months already. What are we waiting for?

You don't need a poll to have a vote, you can do it manually, and just count the votes on a thread.

If you're looking for a fast simple strategy to salvage an AUGUST Read, here are two:

1. Open a nomination post, just like we used to do, but for this month, count the votes on the thread. I did this in my group when it was new and it worked well. It's simple and fast, give it two days, and count the votes.

Anyone can start that post. Someone please, just do it. I would do it, but I have my own group to manage (and I got called names when I tried to help before). Anyone, please just do it.

TO SAVE TIME: Start off with a list of recent nominations (one or two months worth, but skip the Japanese nominations). Eliminate any books that might be hard to get from the library. [Eliminate any book published before 2015, on best seller lists, with a movie/tv release, or otherwise known to be extremely popular.]

Ask people to vote manually on the thread. Give it two days and count the votes. You'll get the attention of regular users who get the messages on their feeds. They are the people most likely to participate in discussions anyway, so it's fair.

Strategy 2. Same as above, but contact support, to get someone assigned to be moderator on a temporary basis. Or ask them to rerun the most recent polls, eliminating books we already read.