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I consistently vote for any mystery LOL.

That's what I did too. :)

Hi all. Here are mine.

Classic - Anna Karenina
Winter - Snow Falling on Cedars
Romance - Benny & Shrimp

Here are my nominations:

Classic - Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Winter - A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin (slogan: winter is coming!)
Romance - The Darcys & the Bingleys A Tale of Two Gentlemen's Marriages to Two Most Devoted Sisters by Marsha Altman

Here are my nominations:

Classic - On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Winter - Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Romance - Austenland by Shannon Hale

Nomination Time Is Over - I will be posting the polls shortly.

I just have a question on the polls...which "Winter's Tale" is the one on the poll...three different ones were nominated! Is it Shakespeare, Helprin, or Mosse?? Thanks!

Katie wrote: "I just have a question on the polls...which "Winter's Tale" is the one on the poll...three different ones were nominated! Is it Shakespeare, Helprin, or Mosse?? Thanks!"

I see both Shakespeare (The Winter's tale) and Helprin (Winter's Tale) on the poll, but not Mosse.

On the same note, did Possession A Romance not make the cut?

I did them as a link but unfortunately it doesn't show the link when you vote. I couldn't find the Mosse book that's why it's not on the list. I think people must have gone back and edited their original posts if they didn't select 3 books the first time. What I did was I copied the titles into a word doc as they were nominated and that's what I went by when I made up the polls last night. So if they did that those books didn't make it on the poll. Under all the books nominated it says show results if you click on that it will show all the links so you can see more about the books.

Amanda wrote: "For the winter task, there is a "The Winter's Tale" and a "Winter's Tale". Are they different, or are they both the Shakespeare play? Should one be deleted?"

Greyweather is correct The Winter's Tale is the Shakespeare, and Winter's Tale is by Helprin so they are different works.

Awww! I'm so excited the book I nominated (Alice in Wonderland) is getting voted on! Last time, I think I got 1 vote, or something like that...

I may have overlooked this, but when do the polls close?

Cynthia wrote: "voting will run for 2 weeks until November 12th"

Thanks. I was getting dates mixed up in my head.

Cynthia wrote: I think people must have gone back and edited their original posts if they didn't select 3 books the first time. What I did was I copied the titles into a word doc as they were nominated and that's what I went by when I made up the polls last night. So if they did that those books didn't make it on the poll. Under all the books nominated it says show results if you click on that it will show all the links so you can see more about the books.

I'm still sort of confused as to why my suggestion of Possession didn't make it on the Romance list? I didn't make any changes to my original post.

El wrote: "I'm still sort of confused as to why my suggestion of Possession didn't make it on the Romance list? I didn't make any changes to my original post. "

And the other books from the same post are in the polls.

El - I really don't know how it didn't make it from your post to my list but I've added it in to the poll so people can go vote for it.

Thanks Cynthia!

If the voting is spread too thin this time around then maybe we could try one nomination per person. I still love the idea of three categories and don't want that to change.

In the classics category Alice's Adventures in wonderland and Through the looking glass stands a good chance of winning. does that mean you read both Alice's Adventures and Through the looking glass both should that one win?

L wrote: "In the classics category Alice's Adventures in wonderland and Through the looking glass stands a good chance of winning. does that mean you read both Alice's Adventures and Through the looking glas..."

I would guess so since the 2 stories are both very short and are usually sold together in the same book.

Dionisia wrote: "If the voting is spread too thin this time around then maybe we could try one nomination per person. I still love the idea of three categories and don't want that to change. "

And remember you can change your vote until the day it closes, so there are some close races, so if you voted for one that has no chance of winning change to one that could win and you could change the outcome : )

L wrote: "In the classics category Alice's Adventures in wonderland and Through the looking glass stands a good chance of winning. does that mean you read both Alice's Adventures and Through the looking glass both should that one win?

Errr... honestly, I've never read the book before, and didn't realize they were two short stories until you said something! But there are several copies of the two together at my library (including on audiobook)... So hopefully most people will have access to similar copies! (If it wins, anyway...)

Sara � wrote: "L wrote: "In the classics category Alice's Adventures in wonderland and Through the looking glass stands a good chance of winning. does that mean you read both Alice's Adventures and Through the lo..."

I was just wondering because I usually download classics on Dailylit.com and on there it is separated, but it would be no big deal to download both. At any rate it seems to be a close race right now.

Dionisia wrote: "If the voting is spread too thin this time around then maybe we could try one nomination per person. I still love the idea of three categories and don't want that to change. "

Or perhaps only add books to the polls if someone seconds them.

Classic--After Dark
Romance--Princess Bride
Winter--Snow Falling On Cedars

Sue, you need to go to the polls section to cast your votes.

I am new and am loving the fun of a reading challenge and I just participated in my first poll for upcoming group reads. There are SO many titles to choose from, it seems like the votes get so spread out and then people see what books are leading and change their votes. I like the idea of members nominating books, but would be completely fine with the moderator narrowing it down to 5-10 titles per theme. I think part of moderating is having some of that power, and since the challenge is about expanding your reading horizons, I know I wouldn't mind choosing from a much smaller pre-determined list. Just my thoughts - not trying to step on any toes!

As I said I'm still playing with the group reads portion of this challenge (we didn't have one when we were part of the other group) so I'm seeing what works and what doesn't and hopefully eventually come up with a way that people are happy with - this time I added the themes and next time we'll see.

I think when it comes to a group as large as this your never going to be able to please everyone.
I think even with the number of selections to choose from in both the Fall & the Winter polls it has turned out okay.
Cynthia I love that you keep changing it up, because it keeps things new and interesting.
You have done a fantastic job running this group, keep up the great work.

I like it the way it is, and it is fun to watch the voting : )

I just checked and Monte Crisco is a fat book, 1488 pages,

I hope it doesnt win, I Can't read books that FAT. sorry : (

Anna Karenina! Egads! Sorry, if blatant negative campaigning is not allowed please delete ;).

My daughter's high school assigns The Count of Monte Cristo ... the abridged version, which is still 544 pages, not a short book, but 544 pages is a more realistic length for a challenge than 1488 pages. Maybe if The Count of Monte Cristo wins we can choose the abridged version?

I personally don't mind if Anna Karenina or Count of Monte Cristo win. I am suppose to be re-reading Anna Karenina, and I have been meaning to finish Monte Cristo (would have to re-read because the last time I started was in 11th grade and I stopped with 50 pages left to read). The one I do not want to win is A Christmas Carol. I forced myself to read it last Christmas and I couldn't stand it. I love the movie version(s) but I hate the book.

Maybe the books from the poll will fit into the Winter challenge similar to the fall where you only have to read one of them. :0)
Then the majority of the people should be okay, unless of course you have already read all the winners LOL

Kathryn wrote: "I have been meaning to finish Monte Cristo (would have to re-read because the last time I started was in 11th grade and I stopped with 50 pages left to read)."

I did that all the time in High School. *smacks self on head* Today, I could never not finish a book!

Re: Monte Cristo, us non-speed-readers can just choose not to read that one. We only have to read one of the three group reads picks. Abridged novels make me weep.

Katie wrote: " Abridged novels make me weep...."

Agreed. Abridged versions leave out so much. Being that we have a choice as to which of the 3 selected novels to read, I hope we stick to unabridged novels.

I wonder though, if there's a way of evening out the three selections somehow. What I mean is that we have a choice of reading one of three novels. In this case, it appears that we could have a thick tome vs. a thin Christmas book. Not much of a "fair" playing field for points and, perhaps, one of these won't get read very much for that very reason.
Perhaps, for future Challenges, the number of pages could be more evenly distributed to the Challenge. Like maybe, in this case, read the top 2-3 (or whatever works) choices of a theme OR the thick tome. Just to keep things rather even. Or maybe limit the nominations to a certain page range.
Just thinking aloud.

Slayermel wrote: "Maybe the books from the poll will fit into the Winter challenge similar to the fall where you only have to read one of them. :0)
Then the majority of the people should be okay, unless of course y..."

That is how it will work - each person will only have to read one of the three choices - so hopefully at least one of the 3 choices will appeal to you - if not you have the option of not doing it.


Petra wrote: "Katie wrote: " Abridged novels make me weep...."

Agreed. Abridged versions leave out so much. Being that we have a choice as to which of the 3 selected novels to read, I hope we stick to unabrid..."

As far as the differences in page numbers - the way I see it is that none of the other tasks have page requirements except for the 100+ pages for anything worth more than 5 points (or if the winners impose one on their task)...so it wouldn't really matter because someone can read a 500 page book for any of the other tasks and another person could read a 200 page book for the same task and they would both earn points. This challenge allows for a lot of personal choice which is what I really loved about it in the first place and why I wanted to share it. If there were tangible rewards involved such as money or gift cards etc. then there would definitely be a need for probably an overall page requirement for the entire challenge but since there isn't I think it's ok for it to be a little more open ended. But I do love getting everyone's input as I'm always open to ideas on how to make this challenge better.

Deedee wrote: "My daughter's high school assigns The Count of Monte Cristo ... the abridged version, which is still 544 pages, not a short book, but 544 pages is a more realistic length for a challe..."

My high school put Monte Cristo on its Honors 10th grade reading list before I began teaching there. I have tried unsuccessfully to get it taken off the list because I think it's a waste of time. When preparing to teach honors students for the first time, I read the unabridged and the abridged alongside each other so that I would know what the abridged version left out. My primary conclusion, as previously stated, is that the abridged version is a waste of time because it's not the same novel.

To put it another way, it would be like giving someone an "abridged" copy of Sgt. Pepper, leaving off "She's Leaving Home," "Within You Without You," "Lovely Rita," and the reprise before "A Day in the Life" to accomplish the abridgment. What would the person who only heard the abridged copy of the album think of it? Would they be able to discuss their copy of the album with someone who had heard the "unabridged" version? No, because the two people have listened to something markedly different.

I'm not that worried about it, because I won't re-read Monte Cristo if it gets picked. I hope everyone who is voting for it, however, intends to read the unabridged version, for their own sakes.

Cynthia wrote: "As far as the differences in page numbers - the way I see it is that none of the other tasks have page requirements except for the 100+ pages for anything worth more than 5 points (or if the winners impose one on their task)......"

The good thing about not putting page requirements on most of the tasks is that those people who have exceptionally busy lives can pull out some short books so they can join in the fun. Or those of us who enjoy series romances can play along. Or our eyes are tired today. Or any number of other reasons why the book du jour needs to be a short one.
Most of us are not trying to beat the system and most of us are not worrying about the next guy beating the system. We are just in this because we love to read and read and read. (Now, if you'd just put in a category for morning cereal box perusing...)

Cynthia wrote: "As far as the differences in page numbers - the way I see it is that none of the other tasks have page requirements except for the 100+ pages for anything worth more than 5 points (or if the winners impose one on their task)...so it wouldn't really matter because someone can read a 500 page book for any of the other tasks and another person could read a 200 page book for the same task and they would both earn points. This challenge allows for a lot of personal choice which is what I really loved about it in the first place and why I wanted to share it....."

Cynthia, I just wanted to clarify that I wasn't suggesting a page limit to all tasks, merely this one task. The suggestion is merely due to some comments made above regarding length of book.
I agree that our personal choices are left wide open by not limiting the page restrictions and I appreciate that as it allows us all to choose the books we truly want to read, whether they be long or short.
For this task, our choices are limited to 3 specific books chosen by polls. From comments made, I was just trying to come up with a fair way of choosing books for this one task only.....not for any other tasks.

Unfortunately for me, I've read 2 of (what looks like may be) the chosen books for the current Challenge and am, therefore, restricted to one choice. But that's the name of the game and I'll read that choice and participate in the discussions on it.

Petra wrote: "For this task, our choices are limited to 3 specific books chosen by polls. From comments made, I was just trying to come up with a fair way of choosing books for this one task only.....not for any other tasks."

Just a thought along those lines...one possibility for a wider variety would be to run the group reads for a shorter time period instead of the whole three-month challenge. For example, the first-place selections could be the group reads until the midway point (since we already mark that for the midway challenge); then, the second-place selections in the polls would be the groups reads for the second half of the challenge. Looking at the state of the polls for the winter and romance selections, this idea would probably generate more discussion since two books are far and away in the lead...and it would give people six options instead of just three.

Sam wrote: "Petra wrote: "For this task, our choices are limited to 3 specific books chosen by polls. From comments made, I was just trying to come up with a fair way of choosing books for this one task only....."

I think that is a neat idea. I know Cynthia is experimenting with the group and I am amazed at how she keeps it all together and running smoothly. I LOVE being part of this group and am so glad my goodreads friends told me about it. I am only one month in, so I didn't know if I should throw my opinion out there, but I did.

I really wasn't trying to step on anyone's toes when I first commented on how many books there are to choose from for the group reads. I just noticed that while there are 600+ people in the group, it looks as though only about 100-some are actually in the challenge - if everyone in the group voted, it would be a more interesting race. This doesn't seem to be the case though. Anyway, I am just having so much fun and I will read whatever anyone chooses! I love the hunt for books that meet the tasks, and reading books I might not normally read.

Making more of the titles available would be an interesting option. I think it would also be neat if there was "Cynthia's Picks" where the moderator chooses her personal top three books from the themes - maybe ones she has read and loved, or ones that really interest her but she hasn't read yet. Maybe that could be in the last month of the challenge. A big reveal. :)

Classic: "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie
Winter: "Sundays at Tiffany's" by James Patterson
Romance: "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Jennifer wrote: "Classic: "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie
Winter: "Sundays at Tiffany's" by James Patterson
Romance: "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier"You need to go to the polls section to vote - I'm not taking nominations anymore.

Teresa in Ohio wrote: "I just checked and Monte Cristo is a fat book, 1488 pages,

I hope it doesnt win, I Can't read books that FAT. sorry :( "

Oh, Teresa! I just read (err... listened to) Monte Cristo this summer (unabridged), and it is SO SO SO SO GOOD!! The audiobook was 35 discs (43 hours, 17 minutes), and it was TOTALLY worth the time! And you are a mystery reader! I bet you'd really like it! It's got all the elements of a fantastic mystery/action/adventure book!

Sara � wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "I just checked and Monte Cristo is a fat book, 1488 pages,

I hope it doesnt win, I Can't read books that FAT. sorry :( "

Oh, Teresa! I just read (err... listened to) Mon..."

I'd like to jump in here with a dissenting view. I read The Count for this Fall's Challenge and it druuuuug on forever. Normally, I like this kind of book, but I thought I'd never finish. It was like someone was adding pages at the back of the book while I was wading through the middle.
I don't mind long books, but this one was not my cup of tea.

I won't be reading a chunky novel for the Group Reads if it is selected. That's mainly b/c my RL book club is hitting Russian Lit and those are guaranteed to be massive *snickers*

Looking at the polls if Alice and Princess Bride win, I'll be stuck with only one choice. *laughs* So I'm with you, Petra. I read Alice for the Summer Challenge and re-read PB for the Fall Challenge. *giggles more* Those are the breaks! But Xmas Carol or the Angel Tale will be fun. Haven't read either :) And I should read a holiday novel to have warm fuzzies.

Tanja, I'm watching the Polls carefully these days. I've read Rebecca and The Christmas Carol recently...which would leave me with The Princess Bride as a choice.
The polls are still really, really close, though, so things may change yet.