Poll

Oh no! Even our tie-break vote is a tie!

If this poll ends in a tie then we can set one up as a Hot Read and have the other as the official Group Read. As the person who nominated The Aerodrome I'd be willing to have that as the Hot Read.

As the poll creator I think you should just have deciding vote. I am happy to go with the Aerodrome if it remains a tie. I think we have too many hot reads at the moment (not that I'm not enjoying them) but it would be best to go with one and I can nominate again - whereas I think your choice has had two votes?

Susan wrote: "I think your choice has had two votes? "

No this is the first - I withdrew it from the June nominations to get behind your nomination for A Question of Upbringing, and what a good decision that turned out to be.

Susan wrote: "I think we have too many hot reads at the moment"

We do have quite a few but there's readers interested in them all so as long as a few BYTers are engaged then I think they are worthwhile.

Susan wrote: "As the poll creator I think you should just have deciding vote.

That's very kind but I don't feel it's very fair. I just stepped in due to Ally's computer issues.

Hopefully the whole question will be academic. That said if the Aerodrome finishes second then, having already got a copy, and given there's a bit of interest from other BYTers, I would probably set it up as a Hot Read anyway. Therefore it also seems reasonable to make it a Hot Read if the two books are still tied when the poll closes. They both look like good books for us to discuss.

Well, that is fair enough Nigeyb. Hopefully, it will be settled by one book winning the vote, but if Henrietta's War does not win I would prefer not to set up a hot read for it. If it stays a draw then one book has to be picked and, if you are going to set up a discussion for The Aerodrome anyway, it seems sensible to go with that for the main read as we have to pick one.

There are quite a lot of small group books, hot reads, books by favourite authors, etc. which I would like to read, but do not have the time for at the moment.
Could we have a hot read set up only after the book has had two nominations in the main poll first? This might cut down the number a bit, but ensure that all the popular books get a place somewhere in the group discussion.
I could just pass on some of the main reads and go for the various alternatives instead, but that rather destroys the point of having a poll at all.

Val wrote: "There are quite a lot of small group books, hot reads, books by favourite authors, etc. which I would like to read, but do not have the time for at the moment."

The threads stay there so it's easy to come back to them when you have the time to read a particular book. I always enjoy it when someone comments on a book we've discussed some time previously and so revives an old thread. I'd love to see a comment pop up now on, say, Sword of Honour or Alone in Berlin (to name but two recent favourites that we've discussed).

Val wrote: "Could we have a hot read set up only after the book has had two nominations in the main poll first? This might cut down the number a bit, but ensure that all the popular books get a place somewhere in the group discussion."

Sounds good to me Val. I think that does apply to the majority of books that end up there - certainly the ones I've added (except "A Dance To The Music Of Time" which is a follow on to next month's discussion and seems more sensible than individually nominating each volume in the series that covers our era).

Val wrote: "I could just pass on some of the main reads and go for the various alternatives instead, but that rather destroys the point of having a poll at all."

Like you Val, I try to read most of the books that win the polls. There's usually a handful that I either simply don't feel inspired to read, or don't have the time, but I always read at least one of the books each month. I generally have time to read other books too, and we've had some great "Hot Reads" discussions for books that got nominated but did not win the polls. Sometimes these discussions are more lively than the main group reads.

As we've observed many times, there aren't really that many people who participate in the discussions with any regularity. Probably a maximum of ten, if that, so I guess it just boils down to who wants to get involved.

Susan wrote: "Well, that is fair enough Nigeyb. Hopefully, it will be settled by one book winning the vote, but if Henrietta's War does not win I would prefer not to set up a hot read for it."

OK Susan.

Susan wrote: "If it stays a draw then one book has to be picked and, if you are going to set up a discussion for The Aerodrome anyway, it seems sensible to go with that for the main read as we have to pick one."

I was thinking the reverse. We know - as things currently stand - there's four people up for reading and discussing The Aerodrome, and another four up for discussing Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942 so why not have Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942 as the main discussion, and The Aerodrome as a Hot Read? I'd likely read both anyway as I think they both look like they'd be interesting and provocative titles.

I have to say I agree with Val. I would like to join in with the Hot Reads Spike Milligan thread and the Dance to the Music of Time. However, there are only so many reads you can join in with -and I read quickly! If it remains a draw then I think we should just pick one and I am quite happy for it to be the Aerodrome.

OK Susan, I know when I'm beaten :-))


Susan wrote: "...and I read quickly!"

^ That must qualify for understatement of the day - you are a reading phenomenon. As ever, I doff my cap at your amazing ability to read so much.


Susan wrote: "I would like to join in with the Hot Reads "A Dance to the Music of Time" thread

I hope you get time for that, especially as you inspired me to read it. There's so much to love in it - and I'm only at Vol 3.

Well, honestly I would like to read the Milligan series too and I'm glad you introduced me to them. Both that and the Dance series are a commitment and I want to enjoy them. The hot reads are great, but only so many :)

We do appreciate your enthusiasm though, seriously. You make the group so much more fun.

^ Thanks Susan :-))

I completely agree with Susan's comments, further books in a series are a great use of the hot reads and I will be continuing with the Dance series and Spike's war memoirs.
I also appreciate your enthusiasm Nigey, even though I might be saying 'Hey, hang on a minute' from time to time. I enjoy a lively and enthusiastic discussion about the books we read, if I didn't why would I join a group, and you always provide it.

^ Thanks Val.


I got hold of the second movement of "A Dance To The Music Of Time" yesterday for my kindle. I keep thinking about it - and cannot wait to get stuck in. I'm trying to read a few other books before diving in.

Val wrote: "I enjoy a lively and enthusiastic discussion about the books we read"

Well said Val - ultimately that's what it's all about and why we're all here.

Long may the liveliness and enthusiasm continue at BYT.

Susan wrote: "If it remains a draw then I think we should just pick one and I am quite happy for it to be the Aerodrome."

OK then, if it ends up a draw, we'll go with The Aerodrome, however I will also refrain from nominating a fiction book for August 2014 to ensure it's someone else's choice that gets the nod for August.

#pollwatch @ 22 May 2014


Well all this talk of draws could be academic..

Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942 by Joyce Dennys 5 votes, 55.6%
The Aerodrome by Rex Warner 4 votes, 44.4%

#tense #latedrama #twistinthetale

A sudden surge - how exciting!

#pollwatch @ 22 May 2014


Now two points clear...

Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942 by Joyce Dennys 6 votes, 60.0%
The Aerodrome by Rex Warner 4 votes, 40.0%

Looks like I'd better try and get hold of Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942

^ Right. Ordered!

See you in July.

Would anyone be interested in a Hot Reads discussion about The Aerodrome?

If the library can get it I will read it, but sadly it isn't on kindle and, having culled my bookshelves I can't start buying more...

Henriettas war is very short, very funny and a nice glimpse into wartime Britain. I think anyone who gives it a try will be charmed - hope so anyway!

^ I'm looking forward to Henrietta's War (assuming it holds onto first place which it almost certainly will)

Re: The Aerodrome, I'd be happy to post you my copy after I've read it. I'll even pay the postage. You could then pass it on to another reader or give it to a charity shop. Message me if you're interested - no worries if not.

I don't feel I can cope with any more books Nigeyb - the guilt of finding them a new home has been too great. Thank you for the kind offer though. If anyone else is thinking of weeding their book collection, they may want to look at:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

There might, of course, be another swing in this months exciting poll :)

Susan wrote: "There might, of course, be another swing in this months exciting poll :) "

Hard to imagine with only a few hours left now, however never say never.

So no takers for a Hot Reads thread for The Aerodrome?

Ah well, when I've read it I'll post a review in What book have you just finished?

If you want to set it up as a hot read Nigey, go ahead.
I would like to read it and the library has a copy, but I don't know when I will be doing so.

I would still be very interested to read The Aerodrome, so if you do set up a Hot Reads thread I might join in, Nigeyb, but am not sure when I'll have time. I'm deep in our forthcoming non-fiction read, One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson at the moment, and have also got several other books on the go!

Thanks Val. Thanks Judy.


I think given our earlier discussion about the number of Hot Reads topics I'll leave it.

I will be reading it, having bought it, so will report back.

#pollwatch @ 24 May 2014


We have a winner! At last.

Please order your copies of Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942 and start reading before or during (or even after) July 2014, because that's when we will be discussing....



Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942 by Joyce Dennys

Spirited Henrietta wishes she was the kind of doctor's wife who knew exactly how to deal with the daily upheavals of war. But then, everyone in her close-knit Devonshire village seems to find different ways to cope: there's the indomitable Lady B, who writes to Hitler every night to tell him precisely what she thinks of him; the terrifyingly efficient Mrs Savernack, who relishes the opportunity to sit on umpteen committees and boss everyone around; flighty, flirtatious Faith who is utterly preoccupied with the latest hats and flashing her shapely legs; and then there's Charles, Henrietta's hard-working husband who manages to sleep through a bomb landing in their neighbour's garden.

With life turned upside down under the shadow of war, Henrietta chronicles the dramas, squabbles and loyal friendships that unfold in her affectionate letters to her 'dear childhood friend' Robert. Warm, witty and perfectly observed, "Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942" brings to life a sparkling community of determined troupers who pull together to fight the good fight with patriotic fervour and good humour.

"Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942" is part of The Bloomsbury Group, a new library of books from the early twentieth-century chosen by readers for readers.

Sounds great, doesn't it?

Here's to another enjoyable and insightful BYT discussion.

^ Got my copy of...



Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942.

This is the cover...



...which I love