Dystopian Society discussion

Hello everyone!

Thank you for joining The Dystopian Society Book Club!

Since this book club is very new and this will be our first month, I'd like to first thank everyone for their patience while I work out whatever kinks may arise.

Secondly, I'm actually quite surprised (and excited!) that there's been so much interest in this club. With that being said I have a question for all of you:

Would you like to see this book club get as many members as are interested so that there may be more input in discussions, etc. or would you like to have a limited number of members so that it's a more intimate environment where we can get to know eachother a bit more personally?

Please let me know because (even though I'm the moderator) I'd love for everyone to have input and for this to be everyone's book club. Which is why if you have any suggestions for books you like to see in the polls, or for any changes you'd like to see with the way the group functions, please don't hesitate to send me a message.

Thanks again for joining! I'm really excited to start reading books with you!

Lindsey

Since we've sort of excitedly linked this group in the subreddit I'd appreciate if the subreddit was linked here as well and mentioned. It would be nice if this group helped the subreddit to grow and vice versa.

I don't really have an opinion of whether a big or small group is better. I'll participate either way!

Excellent idea! I've added a note about r/dystopianbooks in the group's description and added it as our affiliated website.

The more the merrier as far as I am concerned.

Thanks Lindasting for launching the board.

Is this board going to cover dystopian adult, new adult, young adult or all age ranges?

James wrote: "Thanks Lindasting for launching the board.

Is this board going to cover dystopian adult, new adult, young adult or all age ranges?"

Hey James! The books that end up in the poll will be chosen at random unless there are specific requests for books/authors. That being said, I hope we can cover all age ranges as there are many great books in all of those categories.

Is there something you'd like to see more/less of when it comes time to pick our next read?

I just want to clarify what submissions would be age appropriate. Thanks.

Can’t believe that there’s actually an entire group dedicated to Dystopian type books, one of my favorite genres. Looking forward to some great discussion!

MC wrote: "Can’t believe that there’s actually an entire group dedicated to Dystopian type books, one of my favorite genres. Looking forward to some great discussion!"

Hi MC,

Glad to have you with us - Thanks for voting! Please let me know if you have any suggestions or requests for book choices/overall group improvements that you'd like to see implemented.

Looking forward to reading with you!

awesome! i have a dystopian shelf in my goodreads profile, take a look see..and yes, the more the merrier but i do hope we can discuss adult themes and some of the really wretched and depraved aspects of some of these books without offending :)

Howdy y'all,
Reddit sent me. Although I'm technically dead, I'd love to get in on the conversation. How is the next book decided? Vote? Who nominates what? Or does this fully correlate to the sub?

David wrote: "Howdy y'all,
Reddit sent me. Although I'm technically dead, I'd love to get in on the conversation. How is the next book decided? Vote? Who nominates what? Or does this fully correlate to the sub?"

Hey David! Dead or not, we'd love to have you!

To answer your questions:

- I randomly choose 4 books either by member suggestion, or in the Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic categories (If we happen to be reading a book in a series, I will post the next book in the series as well) and mid-month I create a poll with those 4 books. I usually leave the poll open for a week or so. Then we'll start reading it at the beginning of the month.

- If you have any suggestions for books or how the group operates or whatever, just leave a post in the 'Suggestions' folder. I want to accommodate as many people as I can so that people want to get involved.

- This book club is separate from the sub, but as Sandhouse pointed out (the mod for the subreddit) that we're helping eachother grow in members so we are linked that way.

Right now we're reading The Maze Runner.. Depending on how quickly you read (or maybe you've read it already) you can definitely get in on the discussions!

Glad to have you here!

Thank you so much for the warm welcome! I have my ereader account plugged right into the store, so I'll try to join you for Maze Runner. All the best!

Hi everyone! I am grateful for discovering Goodreads! Such great exposure. I am a 32 year old chick living in Manhattan and I’ve written two books, NOTHING like one another. One is a YA dystopian novel about a girl who is born into the Illuminati, but is unable to be programmed or brainwashed. She therefore is an outcast among the “Others” (everyone else other than the Illuminati) and her own cult. She grows to see how evil a conspiracy she was born into and quests on a search for her mother who ran away when she was little, and answers. Only 99 cents, give it a shot!

http://www.amazon.com/Luminous-Altern...


My other novel is an adult fiction work, based on my real life high school bullying experiences (hence the similarities in the name). Listina is an angry bitter alcoholic who is barely functioning and stumbles upon diaries that she knows she is afraid to read. She does, after hitting rock bottom, she knows her spiral downward is going to kill her. She relives every humiliating memory one by one, being bullied by her own friends as well as other girls. Here are links to my social media below. Enjoy!

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Dog-Year...


https://twitter.com/TheDogYears

Hi everyone! I am grateful for discovering Goodreads! Such great exposure. I am a 32 year old chick living in Manhattan and I’ve written two books, NOTHING like one another. One is a YA dystopian novel about a girl who is born into the Illuminati, but is unable to be programmed or brainwashed. She therefore is an outcast among the “Others” (everyone else other than the Illuminati) and her own cult. She grows to see how evil a conspiracy she was born into and quests on a search for her mother who ran away when she was little, and answers. Only 99 cents, give it a shot!

http://www.amazon.com/Luminous-Altern...


My other novel is an adult fiction work, based on my real life high school bullying experiences (hence the similarities in the name). Listina is an angry bitter alcoholic who is barely functioning and stumbles upon diaries that she knows she is afraid to read. She does, after hitting rock bottom, she knows her spiral downward is going to kill her. She relives every humiliating memory one by one, being bullied by her own friends as well as other girls. Here are links to my social media below. Enjoy!

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Dog-Year...


https://twitter.com/TheDogYears

Not sure how to vote for next book :/

Amber.. Welcome! If you click on the "Polls" section in the upper right hand menu you'll be able to choose a book for February! I'm on my phone so I can't link but surely someone will be able to provide you with one if you have any problems.

Let's see if this works:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/1...

Hello, just introducing myself as a new member. Hope to jump into a group read asap. I'm reading Champion at the moment.

Welcome Jacob! You're just in time to vote for February's book in the Poll section - glad to have you with us!

Thank you!

@Lindsting
Thanks, I'm glad to be here! I haven't read any of the February picks but they all sound really good. I can't decide!

Hello everyone! I just joined -- I love dystopian books! I was excited to find this group solely focused on one of my favorite genres. I was also especially excited to see that it has a somewhat smaller number of members. I found myself a bit too overwhelmed in the bigger groups (though I know this one will grow.) Bummer I missed out on Maze Runner, but I'm looking forward to February's book. :) Thanks for having me!

Nadine wrote: "Hello everyone! I just joined -- I love dystopian books! I was excited to find this group solely focused on one of my favorite genres. I was also especially excited to see that it has a somewhat sm..."

Thanks for joining, Nadine!

I asked the question when the group was first started about limiting the amount of people in the group. The general consensus was "the more the merrier" so I've left it open for now. I too like the idea of a smaller group, but as far as participation goes, we've been running on the low side but hopefully with February's contest things will start picking up!

Hi everyone! my name is Yamila, I've been a member for a few days now, and I wanted to introduce myself.

I LOVE reading and dystopian books are among my favorite genres. I'm looking forward to February's book!
Oh, one more thing!, I'm from Argentina, which means English is not my native language so apologies in advanced for any spelling or grammatical errors I might have, here or in my future reviews.

Hello, all! I am new and thought I'd say hello. I don't normally read a lot of dystopian, so I'm trying to branch out. It's also cool to chat about interesting books with interesting people.

With regards to the group size dilemma, large numbers don't necessarily translate to active participants. I am a member of the r/fantasy book club. There are nearly 950 members but maybe 25 that actively participate.

Hello Yami and Shane! I'm new, too. :)
Yami -- your spelling and grammar are splendid!
Shane -- thanks for adding your thoughts regarding group participants. That is quite helpful. :)

Nadine wrote: "Hello Yami and Shane! I'm new, too. :)
Yami -- your spelling and grammar are splendid!
(...)"
Thanks Nadine!, You're very kind :)

Yami wrote: "Hi everyone! my name is Yamila, I've been a member for a few days now, and I wanted to introduce myself.

I LOVE reading and dystopian books are among my favorite genres. I'm looking forward to Fe..."

welcome!! you're gunna love the book (well, i hope).. lol

Hi everyone! I'm David. I didn't grow up reading, but over the past couple of years I have been getting more and more into reading for fun. I love distopian stories, but don't always know what to read. I can't wait to start reading with the group and discussing!

Didn't realize I made a typo. dystopian*

No judging here. :) I didn't even notice. Welcome, David! Nice to meet you! Are you going to read Ready Player One with us this month?

I just joined the group and wanted to introduce myself. I'm a film critic based in the UK, and also the author of a dystopian novel (which will be published in April). Looking forward to contributing to the discussions here.

Welcome brad! Congrats on your book being published! We've just started reading "Ready Player One" if you're interested in getting started with our February book. It's great to have you with us!

Thanks, Nadine and yes, I am. :)

Hey! I didn't know there were these groups on Goodreads and am so glad I stumbled upon this one :) I've really come to like dystopian lit, maybe more on the YA side but any good book will do. I do have to say that although I'd love to be a constant participant I may not be able to do a good job at that this year. I wish I had more time to enjoy reading but still, I will try to do my best to keep up :) best from Peru!

Hello all,

I'm new here and from Canada. Something about dystopians though that I really love...

Unfortunately a lot of those stories these days are YA. And while I still read them, imagining I'm a kid loses a little luster every year I get further from it and my daughter gets closer to it!

I'm about to finish Ready Player One now and hope to hop into King's The Long Walk discussion shortly.

Welcome Blake!

I am about to become a grandmother, and I still enjoy a lot of YA fiction. It sometimes seems rawer, truer, if you know what I mean? Anyway, just know you are not the oldest one reading those YA dystopian books!

I recently read Ready Player One and just finished The Long Walk. Hope to see you over on our discussion board!

Jane

Liz wrote: "Hi everyone!... I am a 32 year old chick living in Manhattan "

Good to know I am not the only Manhattanite ;)

I do loves me a good dystopia novel -- might have to take the time to set up a shelf of all the ones I've read or am planning to read.

Gonna chuck Long Walk and Ready Player One onto the kindle to play catch-up.

One final note for other NYC people: check out Womack's 'Ambient' series, especially Random Acts of Senseless Violence.

Hi group! I'm a writer of (mostly) dystopian fiction. I love to read it, too!

Welcome, D.L! That's awesome that you write it, too!

Nadine wrote: "Welcome, D.L! That's awesome that you write it, too!"

Thanks! :-)

Hi all, I'm new to this book club :). I'm 24 and living in the Netherlands. I love dystopian fiction and I'm just starting with writing some reviews. Where could I put a link if I have written a review about a dystopia?

Due to illness I can only listen to audiobooks. I probably won't be able to read all the group reads, but I would still like to participate and be a member of this group :).

Hey, Talitha - Welcome! Looking forward to your reviews :)

Welcome! I'm chronically ill myself and only use ebooks and audiobooks so I feel ya.

Thanks!
mikhaeyla: you can find my divergent review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Feel free to provide me with
feedback if you feel like, I want to learn :).

@Sandhouse: thank heavens for modern technology to keep us somewhat sane :-D

Sandhouse wrote: "Welcome! I'm chronically ill myself and only use ebooks and audiobooks so I feel ya."

Do you use the text-to-speech feature on ebook readers?

I'm curious how usable that is for people who actually need it. I find that I can't stand more than a page read aloud in that funny cadence.

Do you use the text-to-speech feature on ebook readers?

I'm curious how usable that is for ..."

My old ereader had that feature and I couldn't stand it either. I never used it. My issues are with holding the device/book and keeping focus. So with an ereader I can just prop it up and poke it periodically. Easy and awesome. With focus it's weird, sometimes reading is better, sometimes listening, sometimes I do both at once.

Sandhouse wrote: "With focus it's weird, sometimes reading is better, sometimes listening, sometimes I do both at once. "

I know what you mean. I can't do audiobooks at all. Tried again, recently, on a long (vacation) drive. My mind just spaces out. Probably an old snoozing reflex from lectures ;)

I stick to reading. If I can't focus, I switch to another, hopefully easier book. I suppose I should keep some comic books around for when I'm really far gone.

I had that same problem with audiobooks in the beginning, so I just read some really easy books like Percy Jackson. Did get used to it after a while :). But I do miss a real book from time to time.

The ebook reader is terrible!! Hard to like a book if you're listening to that ;-).