The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

I was wondering we can post more than one book from the Group Reads for that task? For example I've read The Night Circus, Divergent, and Catching Jordan. May I use them all for multiple points? or will I have to apply them to other tasks?

Only one book per task. You can use the other books for the other tasks if they fit but only one group read book for that task. You can participate in the group read discussions you read.

Divergent and The Night Circus were group reads from Spring anyway. Only Catching Jordan is a summer group read.

I feel that the over the last few seasons at least one of the group reads books has been very difficult to access. I wonder how many people are interacting with the group read and IF we can really call it a group read if few people take part. I know we are trying to get variety but variety is useless if you cannot get hold of a book. I wonder what others think of this

I find it difficult to get the books from the library now that libraries have limited the number of people that can access the library. My library has limited the number of people allowed in and limited how long you can be in the library. You can put a book on hold but it might take a few days to arrive.

Marie (UK) wrote: "I feel that the over the last few seasons at least one of the group reads books has been very difficult to access. I wonder how many people are interacting with the group read and IF we can really ..."

I've had the same problem. Often they are not easily available outside the US. But then the problem with the more popular books is that it's likely I've already read them!

Additionally, the nominated books sometimes do not fit the category at all.

For example one of the categories for Winter is "Southern Literature" and Mexican Gothic. "Southern literature" is usually meant as books of/about the Southern US states. The referenced book is set in Mexico by an author born in Mexico who identifies herself as "Mexican by birth, Canadian by inclination." And yet ....

A few seasons back the category was "Cozy mysteries" and the nominated book with the most votes was Sue Grafton's A is for Alibi which is not a "cozy mystery." Oh well...

These are still books worthy of being read and discussed, but the categories seem somewhat meaningless if no one is adhering to them when nominating / voting.

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I find it difficult to get the books from the library now that libraries have limited the number of people that can access the library. My library has limited the number of people allowed in and li..."

I feel your pain about the library we can only reserve and collect no browsing (second lockdown) I have been waiting for one for a year - it arrived at the library in first lockdown and they sent it back for some reason. I had to start again as number 24 in line. I am currently number 8

if you find a book nominated doesn't fit criteria then lets the mods know - i did that this last cycle when one of the nominees was incorrect and sandy addressed it

when you solicit nominations from a diverse group of people, you'll always get books that may be harder to find - i know if i get to nominate, i take time to look at a couple libraries (via worldcat) as well as amazon before nominating to make sure books are widely available

Dee wrote: "if you find a book nominated doesn't fit criteria then lets the mods know - i did that this last cycle when one of the nominees was incorrect and sandy addressed it

when you solicit nominations fr..."

i try to see where it is available and prices I feel like the group read has untapped potential would love to see deeper discussion but I cannot see it happening

i would also like to see deeper discussions but that isn't likely going to happen - if i see comments on books that echo or diverge from my thoughts sometimes i try to engage

Dee wrote: "i would also like to see deeper discussions but that isn't likely going to happen - if i see comments on books that echo or diverge from my thoughts sometimes i try to engage"
I think we could ask generic questions like
how well did this fit the category
what would you have put forward ( only so many get to vote and I admit the same so many each time)
why did you think it did or didnt fit

we dont have to be into depth but the group read does need more interaction

i will admit - i'm struggling with how a book set in Mexico is wining the southern literature theme - when that has a definition of:

Southern literature (sometimes called the literature of the American South) is defined as American literature about the Southern United States or by writers from this region.

and i wouldn't say the Tenant of Wildfell Fall is really a love triangle either - but that's just me

I think there should be some vetting during the nomination process, so that books that do not fit the category are not included in the poll.

The group reads have been an ongoing frustration for me, as well. I agree with the above conversation. The nominations sometimes don't fit the categories particularly well, and the selected books often turn out to be disappointing to most of the readers, based on readers' comments. I wish we would have a lively discussion during the polling process to share opinions about the nominees and maybe we would get more informed voting and better results.

I like your idea Lois but it would be time consuming and the Mods do so much. i think the discussion within the reading of the book needs to be more directed than i liked or disliked it maybe the people who nominated the book could lead a discussion

Marie (UK) wrote: "I like your idea Lois but it would be time consuming and the Mods do so much. i think the discussion within the reading of the book needs to be more directed than i liked or disliked it maybe the p..."

What I meant was that it would be helpful if those who have familiarity with any of the books—or a particular favorite—might post brief comments/reviews in the comments section of each poll during the polling process to help guide voters who may be less familiar. Of course, I would never suggest that the moderators do any additional work!! Sorry if I left that impression. I very much appreciate how much they are already doing to keep this challenge so well organized.

Lois wrote: "Marie (UK) wrote: "I like your idea Lois but it would be time consuming and the Mods do so much. i think the discussion within the reading of the book needs to be more directed than i liked or disl..."

I misunderstood Lois sorry and you are right the comments part of polling is under used

maybe some of the more experienced SRC'ers - could volunteer to help the mod's with the discussion portion - someone who has either a) read book prior; or could conceivably read the book in say the first week of the challenge

ditto on the screening of nominations - i know i would happily help out the mods if needed - or even having the person nominating say why they feel it fits the category to help...

Marie (UK) wrote: "maybe the people who nominated the book could lead a discussion

I also feel that the group reads have great potential for discussion but it usually ends up being why the poster liked or disliked the book. Occasionally, there have been some interesting interactions, but it is rare. I like the idea of the person who nominated the book leading a discussion with some questions to be answered or ideas to comment on.

I usually try to read the group read early (if I'm reading it at all), and would be happy to volunteer to lead a discussion for he entry I read.

Dee wrote: "maybe some of the more experienced SRC'ers - could volunteer to help the mod's with the discussion portion - someone who has either a) read book prior; or could conceivably read the book in say the..."

i would happily lead a discussion Dee in fact am thinking of starting the Bronte read as it is over 500 pages. I was going to do 12 years a slave but I think it will fit the civil rights task so going to shuffle them around