Indie Book Club discussion

A book must be seconded to be included in the poll. I'm hoping to get the poll up as soon as possible (nominations will close at the end of the 6th, so I'll put the poll up on the morning of the 7th) so get cracking.

Incidentally, although this is run along democratic lines I do reserve the right to become a dictator if lots of people join the group specifically to vote for a single book or genre. That's against the spirit (and the letter, now that I've checked) of the rules.


Rules are as follows:

1. Books must be available in ebook format or author willing to provide a digital copy to anyone who wants to participate.

2. Books must be available through at least one major retailer (Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords) or author is willing to provide a copy to anyone who wants to participate.

3. Self nominations are welcome, provided you have at least 10 non self promotion posts in the club.

4. All books must receive a second to be included in the poll.


In addition, I plan to tweet a bit about the book we read, using the hashtag #OBOTM (Other Book of the Month). If your book's selected do feel free to mention/promote this fact on your various social media thingummyjigs.

Obviously if we get just one nomination we won't bother with the poll and will crack on with that.

I voted for zombies. I think that genre is dead.

Anyway, my nomination is The Destiny of Shaitan, which I've had on my 'to read' list for a while.

I'll second that.

I'll nominate Deep Space Endeavor. I did an interview with this chap and it seems interesting.

A.L. wrote: "I'll nominate Deep Space Endeavor. I did an interview with this chap and it seems interesting."

I was going to second this, but some of the reviews on Amazon have put me off. It's been a while since I gave a book-club read a great review and I have a sinking feeling that this is not the book to persuade me otherwise. Am I being horrible? (Or too fussy?)

It also seems to be Kindle only, which is another minus for Kobo-owner me. On the plus side, a story of space pirates does seem delightfully corny, like a so-bad-it's-good 'B' movie...

That is fair enough. As I said I am basing mine from the interview.

There is another option anyway:)

That is a mix of reviews, to be sure.

Steph, it's an awkward feeling when you're not sure whether you can be honest and positive.

Whilst multiple nominations are nice, it's not essentially provided there is a book to read. Still a few days left, so there's time for more nominations.

Well you don't have to like a book if it is BOM, or in fact read it.
I'll nominate another as no one else seems to - Temple of the Sixth which I think is by Ross Harrison, whose book Shadow of the Wraith was a BOm last year.

Thaddeus wrote: "Steph, it's an awkward feeling when you're not sure whether you can be honest and positive..."

I try to be positive about indie books, but I'm finding more and more offerings with marvellous five-star reviews that clearly don't merit such a rating. I should point out that it's also rare for a traditionally-published book to get a Goodreads "it's amazing" five stars from me. On the other hand, when I do find an indie book I really like I try my best to share the love.

With that in mind, I have another nomination - Therion by L.L. Watkin - on the grounds that it's a sequel of a book I read recently and liked.

Seconded.

A.L. wrote: "...I'll nominate another as no one else seems to - Temple of the Sixth which I think is by Ross Harrison, whose book Shadow of the Wraith was a BOm last year."

I meant to second this one in my previous post. I'll do it now!

Must admit, the 'convenient' five star review irks me, in the same way a nonsense one star review does. I was chatting in another place to someone who said a self-published book with great reviews looked dodgy... he wasn't being horrid, just honest, but it did make me think of Catch-22.

Temple of the Sixth threw me for a second (my blog's called Thaddeus the Sixth, and my most recent book is called Sir Edric's Temple).

Nice little selection, but still time for more nominations if anything jumps out.

In addition, to those who lurk or are unsure whether to join in, please do. It's helpful for authors and for readers, and if/when your own book gets read then more people contributing will help you more as well. It's tri-winning.

Nominees to date:
The Destiny of Shaitan
Therion
Temple of the Sixth

Incidentally, I'm hoping this'll go smoothly but my interweb will be fiddled with today. So, if I drop off the face of the Earth, that's why. [Well, that or alien kidnapping].

I don't see a 5 star review as dodgy. Maybe the person liked the book? If I like an indie book enough to rate it 5 stars that's what it gets. If it is a lower rating it gets a lower one.

Unless it is a paid for review or the author's spouse/mum then I don't see an issue. Even another author leaving a review - heck we do it here. So long as it is honest where is the problem?

Although everyone rates differently and for different reasons. I tend to give generous reviews, some don't. That is why I wonder about the worth of reviews - as there is no standard merely opinion.

I must admit I prefer writing reviews without a rating. That way, the reader can judge for themselves more easily than me telling them the rating (many typos might not matter at all to one reader, and be a deal-breaker for another. A single rating cannot be 'accurate' for both).

Mind you, I make an exception for BOTM and OBOTM.

That's why I've gone to following reviewers whose opinions I trust, or getting recommendations from friends who know what I like. If I'm looking at something without a recommendation, I look at reviews from both ends to see what was irritating people and what they liked. Then, if it still looks okay, I read the sample. Some things irritate me to no end, but don't bother others at all. For example, I hate present tense writing. If it's just to offset flashbacks or something, that's one thing, but I just couldn't read the Hunger Games because it drives me crazy.

That kind of approach does make sense. My backlog means I don't really need to go hunting for books at the moment, but when I do again I tend to use Amazon to find links between books (ie also bought/also viewed). As well as OBOTM and BOTM books.

Hoping to get a bit more chatter on these threads. Discussion's helpful for all concerned.

The poll is up here: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/9...

Don't delay voting, it's only up for a couple of days.

Fair enough:)