[n9zee]

I've been the mod for this particular forum for a while, and it occured to me that I'm not really sure what the members want to see here. I've been mostly focused on books, but that misses part of what gets discussed in here. We've got posts on traditional games, words, comic books and more. So, I'm going to open the floor to you: what do you want here? Do you like having a book of the week? Would you rather have something else, like (to pull an example out at random) a "draft your own version of the american constitution" (or in other words, something that would exercise the brain)? Or something else?

Feel free to post here. Or if you don't feel comfortable posting here in the books and intellectual stoof forum, PM me and I'll post it for you.

[Orelinde]

The "book of the week" is interesting to me. Gives me ideas for when I need new stuff. *Thumbs up*

[Chaotisynthetix]

Im posting just so you know your request isnt falling on deaf ears, but I have no answers or input.

[Glix]

I may infact be oblivious and blind, and have utterly missed this elsewhere in the forums. But I'd really appreciate a section authors of different genres, or if I missed this then a link to it would be very much appreciated ><

Something just like..
horror
Mr. Writing person

fantasy
Terry Goodkind
Christopher Paolini

Incase it wasnt clear I mostly read fantasy really I just want this so i can branch out a bit into other books other people here like.

[Scarlet Speedster]

ANYTHING besides more scifi and fantasy!

[n9zee]

Is there something in particular that you want to see, Speedster?

[dreamchaser]

A lot of us are fans of sci-fi and fantasy, though! It's not going anywhere...

I'll second Ore's support on the book of the week thing. Sounds like a great idea.

[Toreshi]

I third the idea of a "Book of the Week". I have a hard time finding stuff to read without just defaulting to my favorite authors.

Additionally, I think it might be nice to have a 'Reviews' thread like in the Movies forum...where, once you've read something, you can go in and put your comments and thoughts and others can come in and read and say, "Hey, that sounds like a pretty good book!".

Just a thought.

[Scarlet Speedster]

A lot of us are fans of sci-fi and fantasy, though! It's not going anywhere...

I'll second Ore's support on the book of the week thing. Sounds like a great idea.

I don't mean to suggest anyone should not continue reading those genres that they enjoy, but I would love to see some broader discussions.

I would enjoy something along the lines of Book of the Week. Although the "week" part may need to be played with due to the length of the selection and an individual's schedule. It would be nice to mix things up with regards to the genres, authors and periods of the works.

[n9zee]

Assuming that I have the right idea, that sounds like it might be worth trying. I'd pick a book and give a bit of an idea of what it seems to be about, and then anyone who's interested could go to their library or bookstore and pick it up and read it. After two weeks or so, depending on how long it is, we gather back here and discuss it.

Of course, it doesn't have to be just me that picks the book that we'd read, it would definitely be open to all of you as well. It could certainly open us to new books. And it won't be just me making statements from on high.

Shall we try it out, starting this Friday? Feel free to suggest a book, if so.

Okay, that may have the Book side of the forum covered. Is there anything non-book related that you think would be worth doing? Past moderators have looked at mythology and words, for example. I was thinking it could fit into the alternate week, so there's always something to look forward to on Friday.

[Darkshades]

Assuming that I have the right idea, that sounds like it might be worth trying. I'd pick a book and give a bit of an idea of what it seems to be about, and then anyone who's interested could go to their library or bookstore and pick it up and read it. After two weeks or so, depending on how long it is, we gather back here and discuss it.

Of course, it doesn't have to be just me that picks the book that we'd read, it would definitely be open to all of you as well. It could certainly open us to new books. And it won't be just me making statements from on high.

Shall we try it out, starting this Friday? Feel free to suggest a book, if so.

Okay, that may have the Book side of the forum covered. Is there anything non-book related that you think would be worth doing? Past moderators have looked at mythology and words, for example. I was thinking it could fit into the alternate week, so there's always something to look forward to on Friday.

Sounds great. I'm in (if I can find the time to read in that week) Thanks!

[Glix]

Book of the week does sound good

Despite appearances and first impressions, I can actually lend a useful review if its wanted

If its not too early in the morning..




Or too late in the night

[n9zee]

Sorry folks, work got really busy Friday and the weekend was busy as well. I'll defer the official posting until this Friday (the 19th). This will, of course, give you all more time to make suggestions for our first book.

[n9zee]

Another question for y'all. Would you like to do a Round Robin again? I'm thinking of keeping it fairly structureless, barring a few guidelines. Just have the interested people post a section to the story as they get inspired by it. I'd likely just do minor editing - fixing typoes and the like.

The guidelines I have in mind would be something like:
- keep it PG-13. You can hint at... goings-on, but this is supposed to be family friendly
- try to post at least a paragraph - say 5-6 sentences. You don't have to stop at 6, though; inspiration works in funny ways
- personally, I would like to avoid super-powers; I think that trope is getting a little overused. I won't complain if that ends up being the easiest story for you all to tell.

I was thinking it might be good practice for creative writing. Tell me what you think!

[Glix]

That could be cool.. but it would take ages for my courage to build up enough to commit pen to paper

or fingers to keys... anyway..

the only time I really tried to write my own story I only managed 5 or 6 sides before embarrassment struck me like a sponge, absorbing what was left of my inspiration at hand

[AJMaster]

That Round Robin idea sounds awesome.
I have somehow fell in love with writing, no matter what the purpose of it is.
Seeing as all my classes this year are going to involve advanced math and sciences, I fear that I might let my writing abilities slowly slip away.

So basically, yes! Lets start that thing up.

[GrandMasta]

Can anybody join the round-robin thing?

Btw, does anybody read non-fiction? I'm a pretty big non-fiction junkie, was wondering if people talk about it here or the politics forum.

[n9zee]

That could be cool.. but it would take ages for my courage to build up enough to commit pen to paper

or fingers to keys... anyway..

the only time I really tried to write my own story I only managed 5 or 6 sides before embarrassment struck me like a sponge, absorbing what was left of my inspiration at hand

That's what this sort of thing is for - don't worry too much about how it looks, just write something! The forumites will be gentle, one way or another.

Can anybody join the round-robin thing?

Totally! If you get inspired, then add something.

Btw, does anybody read non-fiction? I'm a pretty big non-fiction junkie, was wondering if people talk about it here or the politics forum.

I do read some, though I tend towards scientific books - A Brief History of Time, that sort of thing. Feel free to post reviews and discussions. You can either start a new thread, or use the Rabbit Room.

---------------------------------

Alright, I'll start up a round-robin thread.

[LennyTheOgre]

I've always been a fan of puzzles/riddles. Maybe a daily or weekly riddle could be put up to solve? It could be a word puzzle, or even something mathematical such as a classic "solve for x." Just putting that out there :3.

I'm still pretty new to the forums, but it seems like a good place to be. I'll see what I can do as far as constructive input goes.