Goodreads Ireland discussion

Sorry I am late with the nomination thread for September. This month the theme will be high-rated books on GR - i.e. the book must have a rating of 4.0 or higher. We will restrict this to recently published books (last 10 years) as I know that many of the classics have high ratings. Please ensure the book is currently in commercial print and available widely to ensure all members can participate.

Please remember:
1. People may only nominate one book.
2. All nominations must be seconded.
3. You can nominate a book or second a book not both.
4. If the book you nominate wins, you must lead the discussion.
5. Authors may not self nominate.

Nominations shall close at midday GMT on Monday 27th August. For those outside Ireland:

New York: 7.00am
LA: 4.00am Sydney: 11.00pm, 28th August

House of Names

David wrote: "House of Names"

David, do you mean House of Names by Colm Tóibín? It is only rated 3.66 on Goodreads. Is there another book you would like to nominate that is rated 4.0 or higher? If we are finding it too hard to fulfil the criteria of >4.0 rating, we can come back to this.
Thanks for participating!

The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan

The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan
Rated 4.08 on GR.
Thanks, Emily

It would be great if people could post a link to the book when they are nominating, please.
I know that this isn't possible with the app, only with the desktop version of GR.

The Martian
The theme of the whole world sending specialist assistance to recover one lost person was played out recently in the case of the boys and coach trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand. The Martian posits that this might occur when we are sending teams to Mars every few years.
This book contains strong language but no other adult content.

Clare, The Martian was a monthly read before. Would you like to nominate another book?

I will second The Ruin.

Thanks, Donna.

Believe me. JP Delaney. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I am making an assumption that the point of selecting books rated 4 stars or above is to read a book that is widely well regarded. Therefore, should a book have a minimum number of reviews? Believe Me has only 12 reviews. It was just published on July 24th. I look for reviews when a book pops up that is unfamiliar. Early reviews are heavily favorable and 5 star reviews often outnumber other numbers. In this case, 5 of the 12 reviews are 5 stars. I don't think these early ratings are a genuine indication of a book's eventual popularity.

This book is a fairly new release.

What about Lean On Pete by Willy Vlautin? It's 4.03 stars on GR and 5 stars with Allan. There is a series out now based on it. I have not seen it or read the book but have read others by this author and really enjoyed him.

Donna wrote: "This book is a fairly new release."

Do you mean Believe Me? Yes, as I mentioned it came out July 24.

Susan wrote: "What about Lean On Pete by Willy Vlautin? It's 4.03 stars on GR and 5 stars with Allan. There is a series out now based on it. I have not seen it or read the book but..."

I'll second. I have the book.

I will nominate The Broken Girls

Barbara, I had a look at the number of ratings as well for Believe Me and I wasn't sure if it was really a good idea for a nomination. But we hadn't specified a minimum number of ratings (which I should have done), I felt I couldn't object to it on that ground. I am not sure how available it might be in the USA or Australia it her.

I will second The Broken Girls.

Bookworm with Kids wrote: "Barbara, I had a look at the number of ratings as well for Believe Me and I wasn't sure if it was really a good idea for a nomination. But we hadn't specified a minimum number of ratings (which I s..."

I did hesitate about setting up even more rules. It could be a suggestion for future nominations. It is available in the US on kindle, and hardcover and large print paperback which costs more than the HC on Amazon.

Thinking! You are right, no point in duplicating.

With less than 24 hours to go to the close of nominations, we have three books seconded and going forward to the poll so far:
The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan
Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

Bookworm with Kids wrote: "With less than 24 hours to go to the close of nominations, we have three books seconded and going forward to the poll so far:
The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan
Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin
The Broken..."
My problem is I want to read all of them. : )

That's always the problem, Barbara! ;)

Bookworm with Kids wrote: "That's always the problem, Barbara! ;)"

It's not a bad problem to have. I will vote for the book I seconded but regardless the winner will be a book I want to read.

I read The Broken Girls and really enjoyed it.

Nominations are now closed and the poll is open here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

Happy voting!