Fantasy Book Club discussion

Hi the poll for December had a clear winner but was tied for 2nd place. Hence a quick poll is up to choose between the two. The club will remain private with no new members until this is resolved.

we currently have nearly 8000 members. Does anyone have any views as to a maximum number? Also many members take no part in any of the polls or monthly reads. What are your views?

I am going to be tidying up the threads and so will be closing some that are very old, not being used. Just for your info.

Finally just to remind you all that Brenda and I do this for fun and for free so please do contact us but please be friendly and polite. Thanks

Thanks Bev, great job on the polls.
:)

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "Thanks Bev, great job on the polls.
:)"

Thankyou Brenda. X

I usually take part in polls when there is a book I want to read or have already read and would like to join the discussions. For the monthly reads, either the timing doesn't fit or the winning book doesn't interest me..
Also, thanks to you and Brenda for the efforts :)

I have to side with Tara, that and I am usually knee-deep in another series and really don't want to engage in other material until its completed.

Still,
I appreciate what this group has to offer and will try to become more actively involved in this group :D

sometimes people leave or abandon old email addys....if you look in the last page of members, there are probably people who haven't been online in years and years. I know groups I have participated in before have deleted a lot of those types.

I always vote and often but not always read. I think you're both doing a grand job xx Just thought, you probably don't need to have everyone tell you that!

I have no idea how the admin side is set up. Is it possible to put a poll on for people who want to stay on the group and delete anyone who doesn't vote? People can always rejoin if they miss it.

8000 is probably unrealistic for a read if we were all to join in anyway :)

I don't often participate in the group reads mainly because my TBR pile is gigantic and that probably won't ever change, and those books tend to be my priority unless the book that has been nominated is already on my shelf or I read it in the past. I'd nominate something from my TBR pile, but they usually don't win and sometimes I might be in the middle of another book or series at the time anyway. And I'm trying really hard to cut down on my pile with little success lol. Not all of those are fantasy genre either. Then there are some books I just don't think would make for great discussions.

But when I do enter the group read threads, the discussions are usually already done because I'm either too late or too slow.

I dont comment because ive been insulted here, so i think my vote and comment are not welcome :-)

Lara, sorry to hear this! You're comments and votes are very welcome.

{{{{{{}}}}}}:)

The best strategy to increase voter turnout is to include a link to the poll when you send the email to members.

I kinda second Greg's comment....I've had the hardest time finding the poll in order to vote.....

I third that... I use mobile devices to get on here and have yet to recently find the poll. Although I know I am missing something a link would be sublime!

I fourth that.. Also I wonder if could we have more than one book of the month to read or have a way to create smaller group reads. It's hard to have 8000 people agree to read one book. From the turnout of the polls, I believe around 30 or less take part in the group reads.

Thanks for all your comments. I personally think that an email semt to all members by me is sufficient. I do not have the time to send out individual messages or links.
I also think that I need to put a hold on new members until the group has been streamlined. I know many will disagree but you arent the people doing the admin.
I am glad that people find the group useful but as both Brenda and spend time doing the monthly reads it would be nice to get a return on that.
As fo anyone feeling put out please realise that with 8000 members from all around the world it is not possible to make everyone happy. Any issues let me know.

Helen wrote: "I always vote and often but not always read. I think you're both doing a grand job xx Just thought, you probably don't need to have everyone tell you that!

I have no idea how the admin side is set..."

No we dont need pats on the back.

Greg .Yes I am aware of your opinion following your messages.

I think what Greg means, Bev, is to just add the link to the poll when you send out that one group wide message.
:)

In case anyone wants to know, you can find the polls by going to to the desktop site, in the upper right corner it's a link.

There is no way to find the polls on mobile apps unless someone links it.
:( One of my pet peeves.

I'm sure this will anger many, but I think Bev should step down as a moderator, no offense, but you've said how difficult it is and that you don't have the time.

Other groups do not need to limit members so they can effectively do their job. All you need to do is paste a link, a simple keystroke.

Three people besides myself have requested this. It's even been said that mobile can't do polls without a link. Other groups do it all the time.

Moderating isn't for everyone, but it isn't impossible either. But to just stand in the way and let intransigence guide your policies, well, if that's the case I really do feel sorry for this group.

It is time consuming Greg, and we do put in quite a bit of time, not always noticeably.

Bev and I are doing our best and I DO NOT agree that she should step down.

The link to the poll would be nice, but it never stopped me from voting, I know how to read/where to find a poll.

Also, have nothing against Bev and don't think she should step down, unless she feels the need to do so.

I've sent a message to Goodreads about it after my request for a link was rejected last week. The two moderators don't seem to care, even though quite a few people have suggested links would be nice.

I guess when it comes to this group, just sit back, don't raise a fuss, and stay in your place - we know who runs things, and its not anyone that may have been here for longer than these two mods.

O O
___

Well that escalated quickly... I did not know that you couldn't find it on the mobile apps and would explain why, after many annoying hours, I never have... Thanks for your input and all you guys do!

A link to the GROUPWIDE message would still be fantastic for us that do not have a choice in how we access the site. ;)

Well that escalated quickly... I did not know that you couldn't find it on the mobile apps and would explain why, after many annoying hours, I never have... Thanks for your input and all you guys do!

A link to the GROUPWIDE message would still be fantastic for us that do not have a choice in how we access the site. ;)

Greg wrote: "I've sent a message to Goodreads about it after my request for a link was rejected last week. The two moderators don't seem to care, even though quite a few people have suggested links would be nic..."

I often use my mobile to access GR. This means no access to polls, no image when someone posts a book by cover etc. However, if I choose to access by a mobile then I get what I get. At voting time, I never use the links any groups post in threads or emails, I always use the poll option at the top of the group page.

I choose to use a different device at voting time so I can look up all the books and try and choose something I like and, having checked, is available on Amazon UK.

Personal choices, we all take responsibility for these.

I've left groups where a moderator put her own book forward to read repeatedly, groups where people have done the "Hi, my name is.. this is my book" because it irritates me.

This group has a huge membership but only a tiny fraction ever join the reads or comment. No problem to me but I don't do any admin.

Out of all the groups I'm in, this is one of my two favourites. Partly because there are quite a few people I've made friends with, including both mods and ex-mods. Also, I appreciate the no-nonsense approach.

If I didn't like it, I'd leave!

As to your comments, I think you overstepped the boundaries of politeness in a public forum.

That was me being polite. So abandoning that, if you don't like it leave!

I disagree. We used to have one book a month and then a member suggested reading two, that was voted on and carried through. Members were offended that membership jumped during poll time to promote an author/friends book. This led to the group deciding to close during voting

I don't think anyone has said there is no engagement occurring in the group just that given how many members there are, most don't any more.

I didn't mean to offend you but I was certainly offended by the way you discuss the mods. I also didn't mean to suggest initially at least, that you should leave, merely that if you didn't like the way things were being run (you were certainly upset if you've complained to GR) that you had the option to leave and not concern yourself with a group you didn't seem to like.

I haven't run a group as I said before but setting up a poll, ensuring all the books are linked etc has to be time consuming. Not to mention choosing all the suggestions in the suggestion thread. One of the reasons why I wouldn't do the job.

As a former mod, I feel the need to jump in here. Being a mod is an unpaid, time consuming job! And most often a thankless job, as there's always some opinionated person jumping in to bash us. It's interesting to me that quite often the person bashing is an author who I've had to chide for inappropriately promoting their work. This is baffling to me, as I would think authors would want to avoid controversy and be as polite as possible, just for good PR reasons.

At any rate, I'm popping in here to pat both Brenda and Bev on the back for a job well done! I appreciate the way both of them stepped in to do the job I'd done for quite a while and was ready to give it a rest.

As for providing links, those of you using small devices to access the group, I would advise you to get thee to a computer for fuller access. Or do as I do and use the browser to access Goodreads from my iphone. I find the app quite inadequate for even casual use.

Sandra wrote: "As a former mod, I feel the need to jump in here. Being a mod is an unpaid, time consuming job! And most often a thankless job, as there's always some opinionated person jumping in to bash us. I..."

I agree with the app being inadequate. I'm accessing the site via android and am using only browser for this site, because the app is terrible.

May I just comment?

I have no problem with providing a link but I do have an issue with members asking to befriend me and then using that to send me rude, arrogant and demanding messages.

Greg I will not step down and I am asking you publicly to sort your bad attitude out once and for all.

To all other members I do this for fun and for your benefit. Mostly I let you all get on with it. I try not to interfere but do appreciate members input and would like more participation with voting reads etc.

I have been a member before being asked to mod. I do not know what makes Greg so sure that he knows best but if he doesnt likd this group he is free to leave.

I will be stopping new membership between Oct 31st and the New Year so that Brenda and I can tidy the group up and the threads. I hope you can come to one of us if you have issues. Either message me or Brenda. Thankyou.

Tara wrote: "I fourth that.. Also I wonder if could we have more than one book of the month to read or have a way to create smaller group reads. It's hard to have 8000 people agree to read one book. From the tu..."

We read 2 books Tara and there are threads where people do side reads. Just browse the group threads or feel free to start your own.

Marilyn wrote: "Bev wrote: "Hi the poll for December had a clear winner but was tied for 2nd place. Hence a quick poll is up to choose between the two. The club will remain private with no new members until this ..."

Thankyou Marilyn.

Greg wrote: "I've sent a message to Goodreads about it after my request for a link was rejected last week. The two moderators don't seem to care, even though quite a few people have suggested links would be nic..."

Last message Greg, I have no idea what your problem is or what you are getting at but we do not toletarate nastinesss so please be polite.

Hey i love this group and regulary vote for monthly reads. I have not participated in the monthly reads because i have a very long list of books that i allready own that i have not read yet. Also money is sometimes an option with buying the monthly reads. But i will be participating in future monthly reads. This app on my phone is sometimes a problem. I want to say that you are doing a great job.

Well... I'm a lazy bum so I tend to forget to vote, and I read only if the book is in my TBR or is very tempting.
But for the new year I want to become a better pers...goodreader, so I'll be more involved.

I'm a member of this group since March.
I'm a "greenhorn" but I can say this:
I like the friendly, almost familiar mood that exist in this group of which the mods style of command is a cornerstone.
So, please "be good with each other".
I hope that I have not overstepped the limit.

P.S. An official app for windows phone ? Anyone ? SocialReads is good but...

Bev wrote: "May I just comment?

I have no problem with providing a link but I do have an issue with members asking to befriend me and then using that to send me rude, arrogant and demanding messages.

Greg I ..."
Dear Bev,
As a former mod (briefly, because I just hated the abusive posts some folks felt compelled to offer) I want you to know that I support you totally. There are, always have been, and always should be, rules and policies addressing abusiveness, self-promotion, sticking to present topics, etc. I am so sorry to learn that you are having problems with argumentative members. Please do stick to your guns and don't let them grind you down.

To those who are giving you and each other, a hard time, I just want to say that Goodreads Fantasy Book Club was always intended to be a fun, pleasant forum for interested readers to exchange ideas, insights and opinions. It was never meant to be a promotional marketplace for authors, a venue for forcing opinions down anyone's throat, or certainly not an invitation to vent ones anger, disappointment, or bitterness.

In those famous words, "can't we all just get along?"

Lioth wrote: "Well... I'm a lazy bum so I tend to forget to vote, and I read only if the book is in my TBR or is very tempting.
But for the new year I want to become a better pers...goodreader, so I'll be more i..."

Hey if anyone can do that........please do x

Charles wrote: "Bev wrote: "May I just comment?

I have no problem with providing a link but I do have an issue with members asking to befriend me and then using that to send me rude, arrogant and demanding messag..."

Thankyou for your support and your message which sums up the group.

We do get along as a rule except for the odd person now and again.

it is just odd that I was asked to step down at a time when I have been approached for things that go against the ethos of the group. Plus I do not enjoy telling a member about my family and then them using that in a twisted way to say I am incompetent. Hopefully they do not mean that mums with kids are incapable of moderating?!

I will close this thread but can be messaged with any views or queries.