The Apolyton Science Fiction Book Club: June Voting

[chequita guevara]

Maybe we could vote for themes, then vote on books.

[St Leo]

I'd like to change my vote.

Subtract 1 from Count Zero and add 1 to the Difference Engine.

[JohnT]

No, we don't do that here, St. Leo. What do you think this is, the Apolyton Hall of Fame?

[Rogan Josh]

Originally posted by JohnT
By the way, I'm just loving Red Mars and am going to have a lot to say about it.

About all I have to say about it will be 'what crap!'.

Edit: I forgot to say what I voted for. The only book out of the lot which I have already read (and am therefore definitely not voting for) is The Difference Engine (wasn't terribly impressed btw). Instead I voted for Voice of the Whirlwind which sounds a little deeper than the usual sci-fi trash.

[Wraith]

Hrm. Right now it looks like it'll be a race between The Difference Engine and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (again).

Both books I've already read, of course...

Wraith
"I will tell you we're doing the right thing, but I will not look at you."
-- Wally ("Dilbert")

[JohnT]

If I win, the theme will be "Books that Wraith Hasn't Read", I promise.

All you have to do is tell us what to nominate.

[JohnT]

By the way, I'm far more inclined to get rid of the runner-up than the themes. As somebody mentioned earlier, themes allow lesser known books to have a chance.

[Static Universe]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Maybe we could vote for themes, then vote on books.

I was going to suggest that earlier today, but it seems like a lot of voting, as I envision the breakdown to be:

Week 1: Theme Nominations
Week 2: Theme Voting
Week 3: Book (within Theme) Nominations
Week 4: Book (within Theme) Voting

So we'd pretty much wind up discussing the next book all month, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I'd hate for it to detract from the current book. On the other hand, this might wind up energizing current book discussion as well.

Some more possible suggestions:

Perhaps every X number of months could be a wildcard month, where anything can be nominated. Also, when the Hugo or Nebula awards come out, those months might be aside for current/past winners of those awards as well.

[SuperSneak]

I voted for Snow Crash--sounded really interesting.
I'm also reading Red Mars and currently enjoying it...
I didn't like it at all at first, then started to like it, but am now starting to get a bit peeved with it, as it is failing to make much of a point and not being very clear on what the timeline is that is going on...but I'm sticking with it.
However, I picked up a compilation of stories by John Fante (The Big Hunger) which is always a bad sign for the book I was reading previously!

I need to check Apolyton more often...there are some great books I'd like to nominate.
I like the idea of themes (Alien War, Hugo/Nebula Winners, Time Travel, etc...) would help narrow the field.
No reason not to start a Themes Suggestion process now and just randomize the current theme for nomination purposes subsequently?
Anyhow...I like what you're doing and here's hoping my vote for Snow Crash will help even the race.

[JohnT]

"No reason not to start a Themes Suggestion process now and just randomize the current theme for nomination purposes subsequently?"

Actually, a big reason not to is because it is a lot of work and really complicates things. (Sorry Static!) I have enough trouble keeping up with the three threads a month, last thing I want to do is add one or two more "official" threads to my workload.

I think we should kill the runner-up carry over and leave the theme nominating the way it currently is set up - with the winner of the vote picking the next theme.

In regards to themes, I would like for people to remember that an objective theme is far better than a subjective one... i.e., "women authors" or "first time novelists" are far better than "science fantasy" or "books that suck (but really don't!)"

[Static Universe]

Originally posted by JohnT
(Sorry Static!)

It's no problem to me, as I am for the most part opposed to having that many votes every month (which is why I held back on suggesting it).

My problem is if the winner picks a theme that isn't popular, as evidenced by "Cyberpunk" (no offense ), we shouldn't be stuck with it either.

Perhaps a good compromise is to start a themes suggestion thread, find out what types of stories most people are interested in, and just pick 4-5 themes for the next several months.

The winner might then pick the theme from that list, or alternatively, you could even pick them, John.

The important thing I suppose is to get themes that will get books people will want to discuss.

[JohnT]

"My problem is if the winner picks a theme that isn't popular, as evidenced by "Cyberpunk" (no offense ), we shouldn't be stuck with it either."

If we are going to have themes, we use them even if one does suck - "sucky themes" work both ways: everybody might think that my favorite theme sucks.

"Perhaps a good compromise is to start a themes suggestion thread, find out what types of stories most people are interested in, and just pick 4-5 themes for the next several months."

This is a pretty good idea. Let me think about it... right now, I wanna play Freedom Force.

[JohnT]

"The winner might then pick the theme from that list, or alternatively, you could even pick them, John."

Nah, participation is mandatory... I have a very limited view of what science fiction is (usually involving exploding stars, interstellar empires, and the like) and a book selection process that is dominated by me would be very limited.

[monolith94]

Holy fire and the moon is sound the most intriguing to me.

the latter seems a bit derivative of "clans of the alphane moon" to me though. Say, has clans of the alphane moon been nominated yet? It's quite good!

[Static Universe]

Originally posted by monolith94
Holy fire and the moon is sound the most intriguing to me.

the latter seems a bit derivative of "clans of the alphane moon" to me though. Say, has clans of the alphane moon been nominated yet? It's quite good!

This is weird. I was at http://www.alphane.com earlier today and now somebody mentions "Clans of the Alphane Moon," a book people rarely talk about.

Also, someone in this thread mentions John Fante, and my roommate today out of the blue mentions he's interested in reading "Wait Until Spring, Bandini".