Flights of Fantasy discussion

As described

Will you be adding a YA/MG folder/thread, or do we just indicate them under Fantasy, SciFi, and/or Horror?
Are other genres of YA accepted (for instance Romance, since so many seem to lean in that direction)?

Also may we please have a "Speculative Fiction" folder for books that either don't quite fit in one of the aforementioned categories, or are a combination of said categories?

Yes, we should have a folder (I'll add one). As far as other genres - I dunno. I think Colleen is going to be making the decisions on YA/MG, so she'll decide on that.

I'll add a Speculative Fiction folder, too.

Becky wrote: "Yes, we should have a folder (I'll add one). As far as other genres - I dunno. I think Colleen is going to be making the decisions on YA/MG, so she'll decide on that.

I'll add a Speculative Ficti..."

Thank you much! :)

Nyssa wrote: "Are other genres of YA accepted (for instance Romance, since so many seem to lean in that direction)?"

I'm not ignoring his, I just haven't decided.

On one hand, I can't really say I don't read books with romance in them. On the other hand, I tend to avoid the Twilight knock-offs (though a few get through), and I get irritated with other YA groups I'm in that the romance books tend to dominate.

So...

What I think I might do is alternate genres, since YA covers them all, and, maybe for February or something, I'll focus on romance heavier stuff.

For other months/genres, I won't say the books will have no romance, but they'd have to be part of the larger spec-fic genre. (Like if it's a sci-fi month, the book should be primarily sci-fi but can have romance subplot. It's nigh impossible to find a YA book with no romance, anyway... )


(As a side point, it took me forever to get my tablet to let me say fic. Stupid auto-correct.)

Good call, Colleen...

Agreed. That seems like a good way to do it. :)

Just as a general heads up, I'll be putting up polls for the January selections tomorrow evening -- there'll be a group message with links of course. :) We're putting together a list of selections for each genre which I think has an interesting variety of titles so far, and your votes will narrow it down to one book per genre for the month.

Colleen wrote: "On one hand, I can't really say I don't read books with romance in them. On the other hand, I tend to avoid the Twilight knock-offs (though a few get through), and I get irritated with other YA groups I'm in that the romance books tend to dominate.
..."

I was only using Romance as an example, because that was the first thing that came to mind.

My actual question should have been: "Are genres other than Fantasy and SciFi allowed for YA/MG?"

Nyssa wrote: "My actual question should have been: "Are genres other than Fantasy and SciFi allowed for YA/MG?" "

Yes. We'll go all around the spec-fic carousel, and I might through in a random mystery theme here or there, too. Kinda depends on what the other mods go for, and what mood I'm in. ;)

I am a fickle mistress. >:)

Colleen wrote: "I am a fickle mistress."

That is an understatement.

Felina wrote: "Colleen wrote: "I am a fickle mistress."

That is an understatement."

Muwahahahahaha!

Based on the conversation in the Challenge section, can we have a Folder dedicated to Series Reads, please? Then regardless of whatever we decide to do as challenges, we can still start threads for specific series.

Yup. I like that idea.

You should all have a group announcement, but for anyone joining us later on, our polls for Jan 2014 are up!

Hope you enjoy our selections! :)

Suggestion: Have "What Are You Reading?" threads for every month.

The current "What are you reading thread is already 10+ pages long and its only been less than a month. We're obviously a pretty active and chatty group, so starting a new one monthly might help prevent the thread from becoming overwhelming, especially as new people join in.

Most of the members here seem to like to share, compare notes, and give/receive recommendations, which would be easier to track in smaller chunks.

Nyssa - I was just about to suggest exactly this!

I'm good with this. I'll go ahead and start a new thread, and if the other mods have a problem with it... *cracks knuckles*... they can outvote me. :P

I hate the monthly threads. You wanna fight?

Colleen wrote: "I hate the monthly threads. You wanna fight?"

I'm scared. O_O

Ha ha. That's awesome.

Colleen wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Are other genres of YA accepted (for instance Romance, since so many seem to lean in that direction)?"

I'm not ignoring his, I just haven't decided.

On one hand, I can't really say ..."

I expect that the continuing mashup of genre will only get more interesting. I listened to an NPR talk yesterday about a guy who did a study of Netflix's keyword search engine that makes suggestions about your next rental. He found close to 72,000 sub genres. I also read a prediction that books will follow movies in this regard as more reader sites offer more stories. My stories were intended to be simply described as Science Fiction. I've been told they are more like Mystery, Thrillers, with a touch of Romance and Science Fiction. Fooled me.

The results of our runoff polls are in, so I can announce our February book selections!

Fantasy: Gardens of the Moon
Sci-Fi: Earth Abides
Horror: Mr. Shivers
YA/MG: Howl's Moving Castle

Discussion threads will go up a few days before Feb 1st. :)

Oh man... This group is going to keep me BUSY this year, I can see. :D

lol. I agree Becky. Some good picks there. Looking forward to discussing them.

Huh. *library*

Anyone else interested in staggering the group reads - two on the first of the month and 2 on the 15th of the onto? I was thinking it might help conversation and make it feel less overwhelming to have 4 group reads a month if they were a bit staggered.

Emily wrote: "Anyone else interested in staggering the group reads - two on the first of the month and 2 on the 15th of the onto? I was thinking it might help conversation and make it feel less overwhelming to h..."

I'm not sure how that would help, Em. As it is now, we can read any of the four in any order, and discuss them at any time during the month (or after, if need be).

It's not necessary to read all of the books at the start of the month, Emily. :) The discussions are month-long, so you can jump in as easily on the 15th as on the 1st.

My personal preference would be to keep it as-is for ease of organisation, but if there's enough call for this the mods can certainly discuss it.

That's fine! I know we don't have to, but this month it seemed like people were most interested to talk about the book just after finishing it. I thought staggering might put more people on the same finishing schedule. Just a thought though!

I love the idea of the Group Reads Index!!! Thank you Titania!

You're welcome! :)

For the sake of any new members who don't receive the announcement, our March book selection polls are up and you can find them here. Please come along and vote. :)

Oh man - so torn! There are books I've read that I think everyone should read and books I haven't read that I want to read. How to vote!!

Nicki wrote: "*dons Clark Kent disguise*"

But...why?

So confused.

Nicki wrote: "The clue is cunningly hidden in my mod title.

:)

(Also, I got tired of my alterego's lack of librarian status.)"

Oooh.

CUNNING!

Oh...cool.

But now your other self is gone forever! :(

You've no idea how many times I've nearly called you "Nicki" and had to back up and change it to "Ti".

Or just reply-quote you...

When you read Malazan, mayhap? Heh

I understood very little of your last comment, Nicki...

Emily wrote: "I understood very little of your last comment, Nicki..."

I have no idea what BBA stands for (although I'm sure Mrs. J has told me at some point), but SPA means Self Published Author.

So what's Chris's alter ego?

I don't have an alter ego. *sigh*

o_O wrote: "So what's Chris's alter ego?"

Dawn

Chris wrote: "o_O wrote: "So what's Chris's alter ego?"

Dawn"

You're dishwashing liquid?