Zombies! discussion

Now that we have decided our rules for the group reads, it is time to start taking nominations for our February group read. Please refer to the BOTM guidelines when making your nominations (no self-nominations, must be both print and ebook format). Those posts that fail to comply with the guidelines will be deleted. Do not nominate a book unless you are willing to be the moderator for the discussion.


Also, in order to spice things up, we'll take nominations for a theme for March nominations. Themes could be zombie short stories, military-themed zombie novels, zombie romances, etc. We'll take nominations then vote on the month's theme. March nominations will then have to fit that theme.

Nominations will run through 20 January with voting running through 28 January.

I nominate Brains: A Zombie Memoir again lol. It could fit a theme like 'from the zombies' perspective or something. But it is available as both a e-book and a physical copy. If it seems too pricey, Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues might be a little cheaper, but if we only get one nomination (which would probably be a good idea...), I want it to be 'Brains,' which, at the moment is a bargain book on Amazon for $5.60. And, as per the rules, I will mod. Also, anyone concerned about the length can be comforted in knowing it has a lot of depth to it, or so I feel, anyway.

As for the themes, I think its a great idea! One thing that we've never done before is a 'non-fiction' zombie book. Something like the classic The Serpent and the Rainbow: A Harvard Scientist's Astonishing Journey into the Secret Societies of Haitian Voodoo, Zombis, and Magic. Or a psychological perspective: The Walking Dead and Philosophy: Zombie Apocalypse Now. Or I guess even something likeAmerican Zombie Gothic: The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of the Walking Dead in Popular Culture. I think it would be a really cool change of pace. Heck, even The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zombies has a lot of good info in it.

I'd love to do a story collection! That's a really good idea! I've read some pretty good ones:
The New Dead: A Zombie Anthology

Hungry for Your Love: An Anthology of Zombie Romance

There's a couple more that aren't available as e-books. Anyway, that's my two cents!

Cheers, and happy reading!
~Teresa~

Mod Note: we allow multiple nominations from members so both titles will be included in the poll.

How about filling out the month? :)

The Undead: The First Seven Days

The Undead The Second Week Compilation Edition Days 8-14

Randy wrote: "How about filling out the month? :)

The Undead: The First Seven Days

The Undead The Second Week Compilation Edition Days 8-14"

Mod Note: Was the second week compilation available in print? If not, it doesn't meet the requirements for nomination. The group decided nominations should be available in both print and electronic versions. Thanks.

Jim wrote: "Mod Note: Was the second week compilation available in print?"

Each of the individual days is in paperback. Nearly 3000 pages. :)

The first seven days was only about 800 pages.

Day by Day. The first one.

voters: if you pick Day by Day just know i'm not going to do essay stuff. yammy doesn't roll that way, bro. we're just going to discuss the book as we read it. simple, no?

I second Teresa's nomination of The New Dead: A Zombie Anthology. It's available on Kindle, but you can get a used paperback version for a couple of bucks on Amazon. I just ordered one recently with plans to read it this month. I'm also down for a little Day by Day Armageddon action; it's been awhile since I read it and wouldn't mind revisiting it.

I'd also like to nominate Allison Hewitt Is Trapped. I haven't read it yet, but it looks interesting. It's also on my to-read list for the month.

Lastly, I'd like to nominate a picture of a turd. LOL - sorry....couldn't resist.

Ah, the classic voting scenario -- "giant douche" or "turd sandwich"?

http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips...

"Randy wrote: "How about filling out the month? :)

The Undead: The First Seven Days

The Undead The Second Week Compilation Edition Days 8-14"

"

Eeeeeek! I didn't realize the second compilation was out! Amazon here I come!

I'm down for some Day by Day Armageddon, and Sara is right: Alison Hewitt is Trapped looks really interesting too. I'm soooo glad we changed the rules! This may be sad that we won't be reading as many 'indie' books that aren't available in physical copies, but, as Yammy pointed out once, quality shows. Usually, if you can get a REAL publishing house to gamble on printing your book, you got something good. Not all the time, of course; there are no 'absolutes' in life, but most of the time, its a good indicator of quality. I'm super duper happy with the new rules; good job, mods!!!! I can't wait to do another group read (I just couldn't take any more bad books! It was making me crazy and angry! o_O)
~Teresa~

OK, here's another one that's been on my to-read list for far too long. It's gotten good reviews from some folks on GR who love the horror genre and, per the description, includes the undead/zombies:
Dead Sea by Tim Curran.

Randy - love the South Park reference! Having just read through January's BOTM thread, I can't help but think both options have won out this time around. (JK everyone...but c'mon...there's more drama in the thread than in the book...LOL)

Randy wrote: "Jim wrote: "Mod Note: Was the second week compilation available in print?"

Each of the individual days is in paperback. Nearly 3000 pages. :)

The first seven days was only about 800 pages."

800 pages yikes that is one Big commitment.

For March's theme..... March brings to mind "madness" from all the local car sales commercial, " It's March Madness and you won't believe the sales we got...!!!"
So I suggest books where the main characters become or deal with madness (insanity).
The current book that I'm reading the research doctor has gone insane with his desire to find a cure for cancer and become famous for all time.
I can't nominate it though because it only comes in eBook format.
Which is really too bad because the author only releases her books in eBook format and she is currently Amazon's 26th highest ranking author for the genre of Horror.
http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Cross/e/B00...

Mod note: From what I see, there are 8 book nominations so far. We will post the poll either on the 21st or when we reach 10 titles.

We have 3 themes nominated so far(anthology, non-fiction, madeness/insanity).

i'll also add cambell's first book degeneration. it was the one that came before the one we read in december and, in my opinion, the better of the two. was a little confused that we started with book two.

another up and coming indie, i'd like to offer Squanto Undead to the table. it is on a read for review right now and i think the author needs some more exposure. it has some good action scenes in it.

Yammy wrote: "i'd like to offer Squanto Undead to the table"

Huh? A number of us are in the midst of a buddy read on it:

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

We're currently up to part 2 of the 5 parts.

yeah but i'm only starting part two. this way i can moderate a book i haven't read yet, plus it gets her name out there.

i've already read degeneration and day by day so i'm good there.

honestly just wanted to get the ten votes up so people can all hurry up and vote on day by day, bro.

. While I am enjoying Squanto Undead, it honesty need to be updated with an edited version before it gets a BOTM.
The author is holding off on the update until after the buddy read is over, because we (the buddy read participants) are offering him tips on minor flaws that we find.
If a book is offered up too early for a BOTM than all the reviews for that book will state that there are issues with the book (like spelling/grammar or plot holes).
If the author offers up the book for a beta read or a read for review before they offer it up for a BOTM, these issues can be addressed prior to a group read/review.
So I know I've rambled here but my intention was to show how its better for everyone (authors and readers/reviewers) a like if the books nominated for a BOTM is actually "ready" for that kind of . critique.
This months BOTM is an example of a book not ready. And so the reviews it will get from the BOTM are not likely to be helpful for the author or book.

okay then i withdraw squanto undead if that is the author's wish. personally i don't mind the editing problems since the action is well-rounded.

but you're right. we don't need another better stay dead issue.

so my two nominations are day by day and degeneration. if someone could throw a last one in that would be great.

Ok I'll bite and once again I nominate
Out of the Darkness by Jason D. Morrow


It's book one the Starborn Saga

thanks so much for the nom yammy. Tammy is right though. I want to hold off until I can address the editing issues, but I would be sooooo excited if it was recommended for this in the future. when it's truly ready I will let everyone know.

that New Dead zombie anthology looks cool. I would be interested in reading that

you're a class act stacy.

thanks tammy. now! let the voting begin!

WAIT, WAIT!!! I shoulda done this earlier, but a cat nap was in order...sorry!!! I started thinking I'd really like to read Warm Bodies. I haven't read it yet, but it looks good. That way, I could read a book I HAVEN'T read before, although it honestly would probably be easier to mod a book I HAVE read before. Anyway, I figured I'd toss that out there! If it gets included, yay! If not; there's always next month!
~Teresa~

Mod Note: We now have 11 nominations for BOTM for february. I'll post a poll today with those 11 nominations.

Nominations for March themes will remain open till the 20th (or we reach 10) since there are only 3 currently suggested.

Mod Note: February BOTM Poll has been posted.

Since it appears that there is No limit to the number of nominations a member can make in one month. So I would like to nominate the remainder of the categories for the month March.

*Zombies book that take place in exotic locations on planet Earth like an island, in Asia, north or south pole, just not any of the countries in North America Europe/England.

*Zombie titles that are in the Young Adult genre as well.

*Zombie titles that are set another planet or in outer space

* Zombie titles with a non-plague transmission like voodoo or radiation and so on.

* Zombie titles involving Government conspiracies.

*Zombie Romance either romance with a zombie or survivors are ok ( the nominators will have to make sure that there's too much sex as its a PG 13 group, right Elisabeth and Jim?)

* Zombie Comedy/Parody


If this multiple nominating works out, I'll get busy thinking of 10 titles to post March 1st.

I just thought of an 11th theme, Randy's comment about strawberry pop tarts on another thread brought it to mind.

*zombie titles that feature at least one survivor who is a "Prepper" as in one of those survivalist who's got stuff stocked away for any doomsday scenario.

Jim wrote: "...
Nominations for March themes will remain open till the 20th (or we reach 10) since there are only 3 currently suggested. ."

11 themes have been nominated.

Just letting it be known that im keeping my good eye open on the member list this time so if a flood of members joins and votes down my day by day again this month... old yammy will know about it.

carol... i'm looking at you too, kid.

Yammy wrote: "Just letting it be known that im keeping my good eye open on the member list this time so if a flood of members joins and votes down my day by day again this month... old yammy will know about it.
..."

LOL, every month there are more members. It would figure that there should be more votes in relation to the new growth.
What you should be looking for is the number of participants in the win titles BOTM. If x numbers votes to read the winning title than x number (or more) should be participating in the BOTM.
If the number of actual participants is lower than the poll votes for the winning title (like many of the pervious BOTMs) than its likely that "alter egos" voted.

if that was the case than every single month would be faked. i backlogged and checked. i think sometimes people vote just to watch people talk about a book without getting involved.

it's voyeurism and it's sick, lol. (november)

some months it's just painfully obvious that vote stacks happened (you know which month i mean), and some months (december) i think having the wrong book photo posted confused people (sorry mods, but i doubt people took the time to read your correction comment).

anyway just wanted the lurkers and fakers to know that i'm on the case.

edit- on the plus side it looks even this month... so far. no nonsense like "walkers is in second place" again.

Yammy wrote: "if that was the case than every single month would be faked. i backlogged and checked. i think sometimes people vote just to watch people talk about a book without getting involved.

it's voyeurism..."

Yes.

Probably the reason I participate in buddy reads more...

Gina wrote: "Also, more food for thought! The recent poll featured the obvious choice of OPEN VOTING. I highly suspect stacking for hidden votes in order for degeneration to be stacked into winning!

The only r..."

I believe the reason for voting against open voting was so no one would get attacked if, say they cast their vote for a book someone else REALLY wanted to read. Obviously, we have soooo much drama in this group even doing a damn BOTM is a herculean task. So, imagine, if you will, the animosity if every group member could see what every other group member voted for. I belong to one single group out of the 6 I belong to that uses open voting, and I don't like it. It makes me uncomfortable...like if I vote for a book, it gets chosen, and then my work schedule goes haywire or Amazon runs out of copies or whatever 'real life stuff' happens, and then I can't read it with the group, I feel as though I could theoretically be 'called out' by the group, slandering me for not reading a book I voted for. Obviously vote stacking has been a problem in the past, but I have faith it'll get better now that the nomination process has changed. I'm keeping the faith for *at least* a few more months. Maybe you should, too. I've spent LOTS of time on sub-par books with this group, but it can get better!

Also, a private account doesn't mean diddly. Yammy IS a real person; he's my friend, so I know he reviews the books we read together. Day by Day is a 'popular' enough book that I seriously doubt the author would take enough time to create a fake account just to attempt to get, like, 5 more reviews (I'm sure you've noticed the lack of participation in the group reads, right?). And, I myself have read Day by Day, but it was like 2 years before I joined Goodreads way back in 2011, so it wasn't 'fresh' enough in my mind to review. That could be what's going on...

Just a couple thoughts for you to mull over...

~Teresa~

Oh snap!!
I'm just gonna go on record right now as saying that I am not "Gina".
I said my piece last month; my comments are now a drama-free zone.
LOL

Randy wrote: "Probably the reason I participate in buddy reads more..."

I heard that! ;-)

You're all making me want to quit this group!
Two more users for the ignore

I knew Tammy would ignore me sooner or later...

When does BOTM voting close? It looks like a tie right now. Does that mean we'll read both or have some sort of tie-breaker vote?

Dude, your one of a very small number of people which I still have hope for.
I'm boycotting the BOTM next month, out of protest to the fake accounts and people using the group members, regardless who wins.
In fact I'll see if I can't delete my vote for next month, even though I am literally the only on who has voted for the book.
Jim once again, I call for open voting:-!

Sara wrote: "Oh snap!!
I'm just gonna go on record right now as saying that I am not "Gina".
I said my piece last month; my comments are now a drama-free zone.
LOL"

Good luck with that! This group gets more and more dramatic every friggin day, it seems. That's why I haven't been doing the BOTMs.

Also, we used to break a tie with who would volunteer to moderate first (i.e., whichever book got a mod first). Now that the rules have changed to where the nominator has to be mod, I'm not really sure...

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

~Teresa~

as far as your conspiracy bullshit goes you do realize that the mods can see IPs right?

Group moderators can't see IP

Goodreads site staff can.

well get one of those in here and ban all the alternate accounts. i'll call mine out - jerry springer.

sorry but this is the second time now that i woke up and saw my name in the headlines because of dave and his alternate account.

Hi Jerry - nice to meet you! Welcome to the world of the paparazzi!

I'm really Oprah, you know. I keep my account private because Stedman's been lurking after my activities. :) Gotta keep my love for zombie eats on the down low. Don't want to be accused of being too fat.

I understand why Yammy is upset but, honestly, I think we're all on the same side here. Can we just walk away from this one? It's just our special little troll that we already agreed to ignore.

your secret is safe with me, don't worry.

LOL
You are my favorite indie author, "Yammy Jason Cambell".